The Stalker Affair and the Press

The Stalker Affair and the Press, published in 1991, challenges the dominant academic analysis of the press in Britain by examining the media treatment of police constable John Stalker's removal from his job. The author argues that the exclusion of non-official and dissident versions of events can be explained by the ownership of the press and the routine nature of news production, which relies on official and established sources.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 01 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First published in 1991, The Stalker Affair and the Press is a groundbreaking work that delves into the media coverage of the removal of police constable John Stalker from his job. The author argues that this case presents a significant challenge to the traditional academic analysis of the press in Britain, as it supports the status quo because it is part of the dominant class system. The author further suggests that the exclusion of non-official and dissident versions of events can be attributed to more direct factors, such as the ownership of the press and the routine nature of normal news production, which relies on official and established sources.

In the case of the Stalker affair, where such sources did not provide an account of the events, the majority of press output questioned the legitimacy of state actions. Some even went as far as to entertain the notion that its agents had conspired to commit murder and to pervert the course of justice.

David Murphy's fascinating analysis takes a deep dive into the notion of a 'system controlling production' to demonstrate the intricate interplay between the methods of individual journalists, their sources, and the process of news production. This book is a valuable resource for students and teachers of media studies, cultural studies, journalism, and communication studies. It offers a comprehensive and insightful examination of the media's role in shaping public opinion and the challenges faced by journalists in reporting on sensitive and controversial issues.

Weight: 710g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032343624