Reflecting the four nations? An analysis of reporting devolution on UK network news media

Cushion, Stephen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7164-8283, Lewis, Justin Matthew Wren ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5300-9127 and Groves, Christopher Robert ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5873-1119 2009. Reflecting the four nations? An analysis of reporting devolution on UK network news media. Journalism Studies 10 (5) , pp. 655-671. 10.1080/14616700902797242

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Abstract

This article examines how the new political world of UK devolved politics is reported in UK-wide broadcast media. Drawing on a large-scale content analysis of 4687 news items, our study indicates that while devolution is not ignored, there remains an overwhelming focus upon England and Westminster politics. News about devolved politics or issues occupies a tiny part of everyday news coverage. When it is featured, coverage is often unhelpful in communicating the nature of devolved government across the UK. We found, in particular, a blurring of the distinction between England and the UK, a lapse that might misinform viewers and listeners that policy initiatives in England apply to Britain or the UK as a whole. There remains, we argue, an untapped potential for UK news media to explain domestic news items in the context of different polices followed by the various devolved administrations.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Journalism, Media and Culture Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1990 Broadcasting
Uncontrolled Keywords:	citizenship; content analysis; devolution; media; nationhood; public knowledge; UK news; broadcasting
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1461-670X
Last Modified:	02 Dec 2023 14:38
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/5523

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