City Research Online

Abstract

Interviews of elite actors in broadcasting and politics, and study of documentary evidence, were undertaken to elucidate the details of post-war broadcasting policy. Particular and extended study was concentrated on major policy shifts, in this case the two extensions of commercial financing of broadcasting, first in television, second in local radio. Consideration was given to a full explanation of both these events in the context of the political, economic and social climate of the periods when the policies were under discussion, and being legislated.
An attempt has been made to develop those parts of the theoretical work of Talcott Parsons dealing with 'culture', and that of Karl Marx dealing with concepts of 'ideology', into a coherent framework for policy analysis. Resolution of the main problems encountered in this synthesis has been made through application of additional theoretical insight into legitimation and the modern State provided by Jurgen Habermas.
The theoretical postulates so constructed suggest that the meaning of major broadcasting policy has to lie outside the immediate concerns of broadcasters and other interest groups and is located within the political system. Foremost in this field are the main UK political parties, and the State
Broadcasting policy has remained a particular and continuing concern of the British Conservative Party because of its desire to identify and consolidate a contingent consensus in order to be able to retain political credibility and power during a time of growing State intervention.
Broadcasting helps to legitimate this contingent consensus, intermingling it with an absolute, value-expressive consensus. Broadcasting policy, expressed through growing commercialisation, is linked to economic and social motives, but at a political structural level enables ideological considerations to penetrate values to continue to inject new legitimation during a continuing crisis.
Future broadcasting policy should look at re-structuring the system, based on increased public access and more mixed finance, both recognitions of the links between broadcasting and social democracy, and the indivisibility of broadcasting from values.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > JN101 Great Britain
Departments:	School of Policy & Global Affairs School of Policy & Global Affairs > Department of Sociology & Criminology School of Policy & Global Affairs > School of Policy & Global Affairs Doctoral Theses

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