Democracy is based on the belief that the media gets the attention of voters. But is this plausible in an age of multiplying media, disillusionment with the political system and time-scarcity? This book addresses this question, and charts experiences of 'public connection'.

Author S. Livingstone: Nick Couldry is a sociologist of media and culture. He is Professor of Media, Communications and Social Theory at the London School of Economics and was previously Professor of Media and Communications at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is the author or editor of eleven books including for Palgrave Ethics of Media (co-edited with Mirca Madianou and Amit Pinchevski, 2013) and Media Consumption and Public Engagement: Beyond the Presumption of Attention (with Sonia Livingstone and Tim Markham, 2007,revised paperback edition 2010). He has led funded research on citizens public connection (see http://publicconnection.org.uk/) and on story exchange in community engagement (http://www.firm-innovation.net/portfolio-of-projects/storycircle/). He is currently with Andreas Hepp working on a new book on the mediated construction of reality.

List of Tables List of Figures Preface PART I: THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS Democracy and the Presumption of Attention Media Consumption and Public Connection Tracking Public Connection: Some Methodological Issues PART II: THE PUBLIC CONNECTION PROJECT Introduction Mediated Public Connection: Broad Dynamics The Variability of Media Use Values, Talk and Action Democracy Seen from Afar Engagement and Mediation: Findings from the Public Connection Survey PART III: CONCLUSION Conclusion: the Future of Public Connection Appendices References Index