Malcolm Dean, The Guardian newspaper's longstanding chief monitor of social affairs, expertly indicts his own trade through a series of seven case studies on the influence of media on social policy. Drawing on four decades of top-level Whitehall briefings, topped up by interviews with 150 policy-makers, the book is packed with insights, and colourful stories from events in Whitehall's corridors, culminating in a damning list detailing the seven deadly sins of the 'reptiles' (modern journalists). A new final chapter reports on the News International hacking scandal, and the subsequent Leveson Inquiry, prompting criminal and civil lawsuits and leading to a radical press regulator plan.
Written in an engaging way, it offers a unique insider's perspective and a detailed and valuable account of what goes on in news rooms, pressure groups, departmental policy divisions and Parliament.
Foreword by Howard Glennerster; Foreword by David R. Mayhew; Preface: 1. The rise and fall of mainstream journalism; 2. An inside and outside look at policy-making; 3. Law and order; 4. Drugs: tabloid puppets and pawns; 5. Asylum: an oppressive media campaign prompts a cowardly political response; 6. Labour's boldest target: to end child poverty; 7. Vocational education: the biggest disappointment; 8. Health and social care: the most expensive breakfast in history; 9. The disappearance of the housing correspondent; 10. Subverting democracy (1): seven sins of the reptiles; 11. Subverting democracy (2): serious crimes of the reptiles; Afterword; Index
