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‘Citizen Journalism’ in UK Politics?: Marking the changes in the Public Sphere

There are a number of competing claims associated with the emerging cultures of web 2.0. One of the most significant is that bloggers and other non-traditional media producers will compete with (or even replace) the activities of professional news correspondents, by acting as ‘citizen journalists’.

However, many of these claims are based on the activities of experts in the technology field or drawn from short-term ‘selected’ examples such as the 2004 US presidential election.

This research, in contrast, will provide a more systematic account of the changes to the public sphere by studying the impact, if any, of the technologies of web 2.0 on the reception of politics and political journalism in the UK.

This research project will build on the established research base in UK political journalism and new media situated within RIMAP.

The methodologies to be used in this research will draw on the quantitative and qualitative traditions of media audience and media content analysis. However, this project will also require the modification of these techniques to reflect the changing public sphere.

This research project will require the student to travel to have access to interview subjects. It will also require access to internet technologies, traditional media sources, conferences etc. It is not expected that this project will require major equipment purchases.

The expected outcome of this research is a contribution to understanding the contemporary public sphere in the UK.

Applicants are advised that there is no bursary attached to this studentship, and fees are payable.