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Open Scotland?: Journalists, Spin Doctors and Lobbyists


Open Scotland?: Journalists, Spin Doctors and Lobbyists

Paperback by Schlesinger, Philip; Millar, David; Dinan, William

Open Scotland?: Journalists, Spin Doctors and Lobbyists

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ISBN:
9781902930282
Publication Date:
1 Apr 2001
Language:
English
Publisher:
Edinburgh University Press
Imprint:
Polygon at Edinburgh University Press
Pages:
320 pages
Format:
Paperback
For delivery:
Estimated despatch 6 - 8 May 2024
Open Scotland?: Journalists, Spin Doctors and Lobbyists

Description

Scottish devolution brought high hopes for an open political culture. But how far have these been fulfilled? Open Scotland? argues that in the field of political communication the old, established ways of the British state still remain firmly in place. Westminster and Whitehall still cast long shadows over Edinburgh. This book offers the first full-scale coverage of how media, politicians and lobbyists interact in the new Scotland. Based on their exceptional first-hand access to the key players, Philip Schlesinger, David Miller and William Dinan have written an inside account of the struggles to establish the rules of the game for covering politics. They have talked to the journalists of Scotland's political media pack who are at the heart of the new political system and who have a decisive impact on the image of the Scottish Parliament and government. They have observed and interviewed the professional lobbyists and reveal their strategies for achieving a respectable image in Scottish public life. And they have analysed some of the key rows and the failures of news management inside Scotland's government. Open Scotland? offers an insight to the world of lobbyists, journalists and spin doctors, revealing the motivations behind the news stories in Scottish politics today.

Contents

Preface; 1. Introduction; Part I- Journalists; 2. The BBC and devolution; 3. The press prepares for Holyrood; 4. Writing the rules of the game; 5. The 'new' political journalism; Part II - Spin Doctors; 6. Scottish Office information management:; From the Tories to New Labour; 7. Preparing to devolve in the Scottish Office; 8. 'It's a doddle' - the voter education campaign; 9. Scotland in a spin; Part III - Lobbyists; 10. Preparing for Holyrood; 11. Jockeying for position; 12. Lobbygate; 13. The lie of the land:; regulating lobbying in Scotland; 14. Open Scotland?.

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