"For anyone interested in the relationship between politics and mass media, this is a key book. Neil Washbourne combines a compendious knowledge of modern forms of communication with an astute and sophisticated analysis of contemporary politics. Mediating Politics is theoretically subtle and empirically detailed, offering a new perspective on a vital topic." Professor John Street, University of East Anglia, UK "In the vast field that political communication has become Neil Washbourne's book stands out... Admirable and helpful work for both students and scholars new to the topic."Professor Liesbet van Zoonen, Erasmus University, Rotterdam How is politics reported in the media? How does the relationship between the media and political organizations affect the political messages that are conveyed? How do members of the public access and make sense of political messages? This book critically analyses the complex relationship between media and politics, beginning with a discussion of what is meant by the mediating of politics. The author outlines the ways in which political messages are formulated, broadcast and received, as well as examining the ways in which the media and political organisations are linked to one another. The author also analyses the relationship between the media and: Globalisation De-regulation of the media Apathy of audiences Illustrated throughout with case studies from the US, UK and from across the world, the book also explores: Celebrity politicians How different national media systems encourage (or discourage) political engagement How young people engage with the media and politics How the Internet has affected the organization of politics and news media Mediating Politics is key reading for media, communication, cultural and political studies students.