Democratic Delusions: How the Media Hollows Out Democracy and What We Can Do About It

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Natalie Fenton

Democratic Delusions

How the Media Hollows Out Democracy and What We Can Do About It

Natalie Fenton

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English

Polity Press
23 January 2025

Society & Social Sciences; Media studies; Political structures: democracy

A free media is inextricably linked to a healthy democracy, but in many parts of the world liberal democracies are deemed to be dying or on the demise – a demise that many forms of media have enabled while heralding themselves as democracy’s saviour. The hollowing out of democracy in these ways has left many people questioning the value of (neo)liberal democratic societies. What can we do about it? Democratic Delusions explores the potential of our media and tech systems to be democratic and contribute to a just and transformative democracy. This is only possible, Natalie Fenton argues, by first situating our political systems and mediated worlds within global capitalism. By interrogating different media and their relationship to seven key elements of democracy – power, participation, freedom, equality, public good, trust, and hope – the book asks: What is the response of society when the ability of news media to speak truth to power has been restricted by corporate logic? And, how do we tackle a deep-rooted market logic that shifts public debate towards private interest and marginalizes progressive perspectives? The book explores how these elements can be reimagined through newly conceived media and tech landscapes and, ultimately, what democracy might be in a future mediated world that places more power in the hands of more people. This is essential reading for students and scholars of media and communications, journalism, political communications, political science, and sociology.

By: Natalie Fenton
Imprint: Polity Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 224mm, Width: 147mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 386g
ISBN: 9781509548484
ISBN 10: 1509548483
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 23 January 2025
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgements Chapter 1: Democratic Delusions and the Media Chapter 2: Power and Powerlessness Chapter 3: Political Participation and Political Exclusions Chapter 4: Freedom and Repression Chapter 5: Equality and Injustice Chapter 6: Public Good and Private Interest Chapter 7: Trust and Distrust Chapter 8: Hope and Hopelessness: Democracy and the Media Reconfigured Notes References Index

Natalie Fenton is Professor of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Reviews for Democratic Delusions: How the Media Hollows Out Democracy and What We Can Do About It

""Written with furious clarity and great momentum, Fenton’s book comprehensively reimagines what we might mean by “democratic media”. It summons a collective fight for justice – through media, not in spite of them."" Nick Couldry, London School of Economics and Political Science ""Democratic Delusions is distressingly on point. Fenton delivers a masterly intervention that deftly oscillates between the delusions distorting our understanding of media and democracy and the hope necessary to imagine them “done differently.” Hitting the mark in ways that deepen concern while outlining reparative interventions that instill inspiration, this book should be on reading lists everywhere as a primer for those struggling to envision transformative alternatives for media and democracy."" Barbie Zelizer, University of Pennsylvania ""In this brilliant and original book, Natalie Fenton has written what promises to become a classic text on the structural pathologies afflicting us today and what new political horizons are required to create democratic alternatives. This book needed to be written and Natalie Fenton is the perfect visionary to write it. It’s a timely and profoundly important intervention—an invaluable resource for scholars, activists, journalists, policymakers, and concerned citizens everywhere."" Victor Pickard, University of Pennsylvania