Government Communications and the Crisis of Trust: From Political Spin to Post-truth

This book explores the government communication during the age of political spin, highlighting the long-term changes that undermine public consent and the role of public servants, elected officials, and citizens in accounting for governments' custodianship of public communications.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 202 pages
Publication date: 13 October 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the enigmatic realm of government communication during the era of political spin, unveiling the hidden complexities and profound transformations that have shaped the public discourse. Through a meticulous exploration of archival and official documents, memoirs, biographies, and in-depth interviews with media, political, and government witnesses, the author unveils the intricate mechanisms that govern the interactions between governments and the media. The book argues that a series of substantive and concerning long-term changes in the ways governments manage the media and publicly account for themselves undermine the very foundation of democracy—public consent. While politicians and their aides have often been singled out as the primary culprits for this crisis, the author contends that they are merely a part of a much broader and deeper problem. A pervasive "culture of mediatization" has taken root within governments, permeating every aspect of public communication and exerting unintended consequences that challenge the capacity of central public bureaucracies to uphold public values and maintain impartiality. The book concludes that public servants, elected officials, and citizens alike hold a crucial responsibility in holding governments accountable for their stewardship of the public communications function, which is perhaps the most politically sensitive and vital public good. By examining the historical roots, current practices, and potential solutions, this book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex dynamics between government, media, and democracy. It serves as a timely reminder that the preservation and enhancement of public trust require a collective effort, where all stakeholders work together to ensure that the public communication function remains transparent, accountable, and aligned with the principles of democracy.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030775780
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021