Secrecy in Public Relations, Mediation and News Cultures: The Shadow World of the Media Sphere

This book explores the relationship between secrecy, media, news cultures, and public relations, arguing that the PR industry is a powerful vector of secrecy and reshapes social relations. It analyzes how PR practices generate a second, shadow world of the media sphere, impacting the 'obvious world. It interrogates the roles of the PR industry and news cultures in shaping social relations in the digital media landscape and those promoting transparency.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate relationship between secrecy as a social practice and contemporary media, news cultures, and public relations. Building upon Georg Simmel's profound theorization of secrecy as a "second world" that coexists alongside the "obvious world," Anne Cronin compellingly argues for a close examination of the PR industry as a powerful conduit of secrecy and a critical exploration of its intricate relationship with news cultures. Through a rich blend of case studies, in-depth interviews, and cutting-edge research from media and cultural studies, sociology, journalism studies, and communication studies, the book meticulously analyzes how PR practices create a shadowy realm within the media sphere, exerting a profound impact on the "obvious world." It critically interrogates the roles of both the PR industry and news cultures in shaping social relations in the digital media landscape, as well as those initiatives advocating for transparency of data and decision-making processes.

This book offers an insightful and interdisciplinary perspective on the ongoing debates surrounding media and power, appealing to students of public relations, sociology, media studies, cultural studies, and communication studies. It also holds significant value for scholars and practitioners engaged in the intersections of media, social relations, and public trust. By shedding light on the hidden dynamics of secrecy and its profound implications for our understanding of contemporary media and society, this book provides valuable insights and tools for navigating the complex terrain of public communication and trust in the digital age.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032434100