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"Libération" : a study in cultural politics (1973-1981)

Anthony Rooke, Richard (1989) "Libération" : a study in cultural politics (1973-1981). Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) thesis, University of Kent. (doi:10.22024/UniKent/01.02.94618) (KAR id:94618)

Abstract

A study of the French newspaper Libération from its first editions in 1973 to its relaunch in 1981.

The newspaper illustrates the pressures on the press to adapt to changing circumstances. First, the movement from marginality to a more popular base is recounted in the first chapter. Primary to the newspaper's changes was its adaptation to the political process, which dynamically shaped its reorientations. Specifically, the imposition of the electoral process encouraged the paper to re-analyse its media philosophy, alter its political standpoint, and present a new 'face' to its audience. Secondly, the changes in the paper, illustrate a movement from direct political and revolutionary rhetoric to greater independence of view. This was accompanied by a growing insistence on individual rights, and the freedom of personal choice. Equally, its journalism altered in so far as an increase in professionalisation and objectivity were accompanied by a style (comportment) particularily its own.

These changes were complex, and at times contradictory, nourished by the events of 1968, Libération gradually assumed the mantle of a new decade. There were noticeable shifts in their attitudes to events which became marked by a popularisation of the 'new*. Even so, the newspaper’s journalists were daily confronted with events which impinged on their outlook. This was reflected by the way in which they also adapted their journalism to both cultural and social pressures, and these are analysed in the second and third chapters.

Overall, the relationship between political, cultural and social questions has been used to illustrate the dynamic of change in the newspaper. No matter the complexities of the relationship, the impact of the political process on journalism is considered to be paramount.

Item Type: Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy (PhD))
DOI/Identification number: 10.22024/UniKent/01.02.94618
Additional information: This thesis has been digitised by EThOS, the British Library digitisation service, for purposes of preservation and dissemination. It was uploaded to KAR on 25 April 2022 in order to hold its content and record within University of Kent systems. It is available Open Access using a Creative Commons Attribution, Non-commercial, No Derivatives (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) licence so that the thesis and its author, can benefit from opportunities for increased readership and citation. This was done in line with University of Kent policies (https://www.kent.ac.uk/is/strategy/docs/Kent%20Open%20Access%20policy.pdf). If you feel that your rights are compromised by open access to this thesis, or if you would like more information about its availability, please contact us at ResearchSupport@kent.ac.uk and we will seriously consider your claim under the terms of our Take-Down Policy (https://www.kent.ac.uk/is/regulations/library/kar-take-down-policy.html).
Subjects: P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN4699 Journalism
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Arts and Humanities > School of Culture and Languages
SWORD Depositor: SWORD Copy
Depositing User: SWORD Copy
Date Deposited: 09 Jun 2023 15:34 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Jun 2023 15:34 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/94618 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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