Abstract
In an era of historic changes in both media and politics, Alexa Robertson’s Media and Politics in a Globalizing World aims to provide some mooring during unsettled times. Supported by vast research from around the world and across time, Robertson seeks to “provide an analytical approach—a way of thinking about, studying and doing research on media and politics in a globalizing world—rather than a reference book full of information” (p. x). The analytical approach is present; however, a more appropriate frame for this book would be as a navigation device, a “rough guide for the reader embarking on a journey through this turbulent landscape of change” (p. ix). Robinson establishes key guide markers early in the text, including useful primers on the relationship between media and technological change, and globalization as both a concept and an organizing tool in thinking about politics (as opposed to a state-centric model so often utilized by researchers).
The book is divided into three parts, the first of which lays out the big questions and major ideas for the book in two chapters. The introduction explores how to look for politics and media in a globalizing world, including thoughtful discussions of technology, continuity and change, hybridity, and the dangers of studying “the media” as a single entity. Chapter 2, “Power in Media Societies,” offers an introduction to media power in a globalized context, describing three key roles of media power as information-relayer (including the gatekeeping, watchdog, and agenda-setting responsibilities), as the arena created by media institutions and forms, and as culture-bearer.
Part 2 includes four chapters that consider the media–politics relationship by looking at different sets of actors—elites, journalists, “the people formerly known as the audience,” and activists. Each set of actors interacts differently with the changing technologies and political implications involved in media change. Part 3 focuses on a number of key debates emanating from the intersection of media, politics, and globalization. A chapter on mediated conflict (Chapter 7) introduces the needs and challenges associated with covering conflict and wars around the world. It is followed by a very useful chapter on infotainment (Chapter 8) and the theoretical debates surrounding “mediatization” (Chapter 9), a concept described simply as “how something is now done with media technology instead of however it was done before” (p. 134). The final chapter in Part 3 is the important discussion of media freedom in a comparative and historical context.
This book tries to do a lot, and like most ambitious works, it does some things better than others. The author deserves credit for tackling a large, unwieldy, and important topic in a relatively holistic manner while being honest about what this book is and what it isn’t. Robertson states in the preface that because “this is a sprawling, confusing subject, a strategy is needed to ensure coherence” (p. x). The strategy presented is a series of broad central questions that are designed to frame each chapter. Each chapter ends with a section titled “To think about,” which reinforces that this book is more about questions and connections to explore, than a text book full of all the answers. To aid readers and researchers, the author includes a research guide in the appendix (and a companion website http://mediapolitics.net/). The research guide is divided into a fairly generic, yet useful, section on designing a study, followed by more specific research topics related to material in this book, including questions and reliable resources from around the world.
Some may criticize this book for not diving deeper into particular areas. Each chapter represents a topic with material rich enough to fill an entire book. However, Robertson knowingly sacrifices depth in favor of breadth. This is appropriately and honestly done in general. Yet, there are a few chapters that delve into newer areas that would benefit from more substance.
Chapters 5 and 6, on those formerly known as the audience (pp. 68–83) and activists (pp. 84–98), respectively, are particularly forward-thinking and thought-provoking, treading on a scholarly foundation that is less solidly built than those in many other parts of the book. Chapter 5 would benefit from more focus on the role of globalization and changing technology on the current status of empowering marginalized political actors or turning those formerly passive audience members into active creators and shapers of political media. Chapter 6, on activists, states “of all the vantage points through which the media-politics relationship is viewed in this book, it is here that change is most clearly in evidence” (p. 85). Yet the evidence presented here leaves a bit to be desired. There are two brief explorations of mediated protest over time and across the globe. However, the majority of the chapter makes important but cursory links between literature on social movements to more modern media-centered works on changes to the publish sphere and a shift from collective to connective action. Similarly, more practical examples would help explore the mediatization debate (Chapter 9).
Despite some chapters that seem a bit light, this is a useful book that ties together many important elements into a book that is accessible, relevant, insightful, and global. For those searching for a text to use and recommend regarding the interconnected changes in politics, media, and technology, Media and Politics in a Globalizing World is one of the best examples published in years. Robertson weaves interdisciplinary research from media studies, political science, sociology, and history to offer a valuable rough guide for those studying, researching, or thinking deeply about the dynamic political and media changes occurring throughout the world. Media and Politics in a Globalizing World is thoughtful and well written and should become a widely used resource for those teaching and researching the turbulent waters of media and politics moving forward.