From cooperation to confrontation? : trade unionism, British politics and the media, 1945-1979
Despite the mediaâs significant influence on British societyâs transformation between 1945 and 1979, relatively little is understood about their effect on the mythologised decline of trade unionism. In response, this research forms the first comprehensive study of the mediaâs role in the battle for public support between government and trade unions. Facilitated by the recent digitisation of newspaper sources and television reports, this research assesses media content from across the political spectrum, including five national dailies. It explores coverage of particular moments in the political relationship between the government and unions, as well as wider structural concerns in economic discourse. Beyond content, this thesis assesses the personal and political motivations behind production, utilising memoirs from prominent editors and journalists, as well as evidence from the BBC and TUC archives. It reflects on the way changes to the media landscape, including the waning influence of left-wing media and the rise of right-wing tabloids, shaped and restricted the dominant frames of explanation for Britainâs supposed decline. The influence of the media on public attitudes is assessed through extensive
Bell, Lucy
From cooperation to confrontation? : trade unionism, British politics and the media, 1945-1979. Despite the mediaâs significant influence on British societyâs transformation between 1945 and 1979, relatively little is understood about their effect on the mythologised decline of trade unionism. In response, this research forms the first comprehensive study of the mediaâs role in the battle for public support between government and trade unions. Facilitated by the recent digitisation of newspaper sources and television reports, this research assesses media content from across the political spectrum, including five national dailies. It explores coverage of particular moments in the political relationship between the government and unions, as well as wider structural concerns in economic discourse. Beyond content, this thesis assesses the personal and political motivations behind production, utilising memoirs from prominent editors and journalists, as well as evidence from the BBC and TUC archives. It reflects on the way changes to the media landscape, including the waning influence of left-wing media and the rise of right-wing tabloids, shaped and restricted the dominant frames of explanation for Britainâs supposed decline. The influence of the media on public attitudes is assessed through extensive
cooperation confrontation trade_unionism british_politics medium despite medium significant_influence british_society transformation relatively_little understood effect decline trade_unionism response form first_comprehensive study medium role battle public support government trade_union facilitated recent digitisation newspaper source television report ass medium content across political_spectrum include national daily explores coverage particular moment political relationship government union well wider structural concern economic discourse beyond content assess personal political_motivation behind production utilise memoir prominent editor journalist well evidence bbc tuc archive reflect way change medium landscape include wan influence left_wing medium rise right_wing shape restrict dominant frame explanation britain suppose decline influence medium public attitude assess extensive