Making of Citizens: Young People, News and Politics

 Based on research conducted in Britain and the US, The Making of Citizens traces the dynamic complexities of young people's interpretations of news, and their judgements about the ways in which key social and political issues are represented. Rather than bemoaning young people's ignorance, he argues that we need to rethink what counts as political understanding in contemporary societies, suggesting that we need forms of factual reporting that will engage more effectively with young people's changing perceptions of themselves as citizens.
The Making of Citizens provides a significant contribution to the study of media audiences and a timely intervention in contemporary debates about citizenship and political education.

Review: 'Buckingham links clear argument to empirical study in tracing the relationship between television and "young citizenship". His thoughtful and well-documented analysis valuably extends our sense of what is now at stake in debates about the "public" role of the media and of journalism.' - John Corner, University of Liverpool, UK

'This book will be of interest to all involved in citizenship education and the broader social curriculum.' - Tony Breslin, Times Eduational Supplement

'Illuminating reviews with young people and the issues are sharply formulated.' - The Sociological Review

'Much to offer anyone interested in issues such as the tensions between: genre and audience; the style, form and content of news programmes; affective responses to, and reasoned analyses of, news coverage; and the roles of the media and schools in the political socialisation of young people.' - John Moss, The English and Media Magazine