Communication, conflict and risk in the 21st century: Critical issues for sociology

The recent war in Iraq has generated much discussion about the role of the news media in representing war. This piece calls for greater sociological intervention into this debate. In particular, it cautions against exaggerating the ideological effects of media propaganda on public attitudes to war. The decision to go to war generated unusually high levels of public opposition. In times of war it is commonplace for policymakers and military personnel to attack the media for bias and credit them with a determining influence on public opinion. However, this piece suggests that there is a need for greater critical engagement with developments in audience research. Also, current debates also exhibit considerable confusion over concepts of 'objectivity', 'impartiality' and 'bias'. Recent sociological work reveals both the complexities arising from the ambiguity of concepts of 'objectivity' and 'bias', and the need for a more fine-grained approach towards media effects.