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 toward conflictual interactions that may impact political communication and the democratic process.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
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 toward 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 complex dynamics of power and authority, and how these interactions shape the public perception and understanding of political issues. He also examines the role of language in constructing and maintaining social identities, as well as the ways in which broadcast news media contribute to the perpetuation of stereotypes and biases.

Through his detailed analysis, Hutchby sheds light on the complex dynamics that govern the production and consumption of broadcast news media. He challenges traditional notions of objectivity and neutrality, arguing that news interviews are not merely a neutral platform for the exchange of information but are rather a site of power struggles and negotiations. He explores the ways in which journalists use language and framing techniques to shape the narrative and influence public opinion, and how politicians use strategic communication to manipulate the media and control the narrative.

"The Political Interview" is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and practitioners interested in the field of broadcast news media. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the changing landscape of broadcast news, and provides insights into the complex interplay between language, power, and social interaction. The book's sociological and linguistic approach makes it accessible to a wide audience, and its timely and relevant content makes it an essential read for anyone concerned with the role of media in shaping public discourse and political outcomes.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 231 x 154 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793640116