Essential Public Affairs for Journalists

Knowledge of public affairs matters: this friendly guide is an invaluable read for journalism students and journalists looking for a firm grasp on how central and local governments work, how public services operate, and how political events generate informative new stories.

Autorentext
James Morrison is an Associate Professor in Journalism at the University of Stirling, and a freelance journalist and writer. Previously, he was course leader of the NCTJ-accredited newspaper and magazine journalism programmes at City College Brighton and Hove, Senior Lecturer at Kingston University, and Reader at Robert Gordon University. James is a senior examiner in public affairs for the NCTJ and a member of its Public Affairs board. He has authored a number of books exploring journalism and socio-political issues, including, most recently, The Left Behind: Reimagining Britain's Socially Excluded (Pluto Press, 2022).

Inhalt

• 1: The British constitution and monarchy

• 2: Parliamentary democracy in the UK

• 3: Prime minister, Cabinet, and government

• 4: Britain's electoral systems

• 5: Political parties, party funding, and lobbying

• 6: The National Health Service

• 7: The Treasury, industry, and the utilities

• 8: Social security and home affairs

• 9: The origins and structure of local government

• 10: Financing local government

• 11: Local government decision-making

• 12: Local government accountability and elections

• 13: Education

• 14: Planning policy and environmental protection

• 15: Housing

• 16: Children's services and adult social care

• 17: Transport, environment, leisure, and culture

• 18: Freedom of information