The Political Interview: Broadcast Talk in the Interactional Combat Zone

The book "The Political Interview: Broadcast Talk in the Interactional Combat Zone" examines the changing landscape of broadcast news media, focusing on the discourse practices associated with interviews with politicians. It analyzes increasing tendencies towards conflictual interactions that may impact political communication and the democratic process.

Format: Hardback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

The landscape of broadcast news media is undergoing a dynamic transformation, driven by both technological advancements and shifts in the social role of television journalism. In his book, "The Political Interview: Broadcast Talk in the Interactional Combat Zone," Ian Hutchby takes a sociological and linguistic approach to explore these changes, specifically focusing on the discourse practices associated with them. By examining contemporary developments in the conduct of interviews with politicians across various televised formats, Hutchby delves into the growing tendencies towards conflictual interactions that have the potential to fundamentally alter the nature of political communication and the role of news interviews in the democratic process.

Training the sharp analytical lens of conversation analysis on the actual discourse of live broadcast news, Hutchby's book emerges as both timely and relevant to a wide range of specialists in sociolinguistics, communication studies, political studies, journalism and media studies, and sociology. It addresses academic and populist concerns about infotainment, dumbing down, and political mistrust among the electorate, offering valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of broadcast news media and their impact on public discourse.

The book's sociological and linguistic approach provides a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between language, power, and social interaction in the context of broadcast news interviews. Hutchby explores the ways in which politicians, journalists, and viewers negotiate the boundaries of discourse, employing strategies such as framing, interruption, and rhetorical devices to shape the narrative and convey their messages. He also examines the broader social and cultural factors that influence the conduct of political interviews, including media bias, public opinion, and the role of technology in shaping the media landscape.

One of the book's key strengths lies in its ability to bridge the gap between academic research and popular discourse. Hutchby's analysis is grounded in rigorous sociological and linguistic theories, yet he presents his findings in a accessible and engaging manner, making it relevant to a broad audience. The book's chapters are organized in a logical and coherent manner, allowing readers to follow the evolution of broadcast news interviews over time and across different formats.

In conclusion, "The Political Interview: Broadcast Talk in the Interactional Combat Zone" is a valuable contribution to the field of media studies and communication studies. By examining the changing landscape of broadcast news media and the discourse practices associated with it, Hutchby provides a timely and insightful analysis of the challenges and opportunities facing political communication in the digital age. The book's sociological and linguistic approach offers valuable insights into the power dynamics at play in the media, and its relevance to a range of specialists makes it a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the role of broadcast news media in shaping public discourse.

Weight: 476g
Dimension: 227 x 162 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793640093