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30 Jul 2010 09:21:01
Has the news content on TV changed in the 21st century? The Research Professor in Media and Politics at the University of Bedfordshire is about to find out.
Professor Ivor Gaber has won a £55,000 grant to research changing television news agendas from The Leverhulme Trust. This is in conjunction with Steve Barnett, Professor of Communications from the University of Westminster.
The research will focus on the last decade (1999-2009) and particularly the expansion of 24-hour news channels, namely Sky and the BBC.
Professor Gaber said: “Television news remains the public’s most important and trusted source of news. Hence looking at changes in the sort of stories featured on television news bulletins is an important way of understanding changes in society. The impact of 24-hour news over the last ten years will be one of the key issues we will be investigating.”
It is a follow-up to earlier research undertaken by Gaber and Barnett which centred on the years from 1979, when Margaret Thatcher came to power, and the end of the millennium in 1999. Its findings were published in 2001.
Professor Gaber said: “We found then that contrary to popular belief, news hadn’t been dumbed down, but that television had extended its news agenda.”
The Leverhulme Trust makes awards for the support of research and education. With annual funding of £50 million, the Trust is among the largest all-subject providers of research funding in the UK.
The journalistic career of Professor Gaber has included senior editorial positions at the BBC, ITN, Channel Four and Sky News. As an independent producer, he makes programmes for Radio Four and the World Service.
There is also an invitation for him to take part in the Government’s review of child protection under Eileen Munro, Professor of Social Policy at the London School of Economics.
He is joining a specialist group to look at the role of the media in child protection. The group will also include Professor Jon Silverman, the University’s Professor of Media and Criminal Justice.
Professor Gaber said: “The review will look at the role of the media in child protection issues in the wake of cases such as Baby Peter and Shannon Matthews.
“Does the media help or does it make things more difficult for social workers? It has to be remembered that there is always going to be a huge public interest in events like these two.”
The University has great expertise in the area of child protection and colleagues from the Institute of Applied Social Research – including David Barrett, Michael Preston-Shoot and Patrick Ayre – have already been involved in discussions about the review.
The year-long review process is starting in early August.
Latest news» 2010» July» Ivor's research into changing television news agendas
