Media And Voters In Canadian Election Campaigns (Research Studies, V. 18)

This volume presents five studies on the relationship between the media and voters. Each examines some aspects of the flow of information to voters during election campaigns and all reflect the assumption that the right to vote must include the right of access and sufficient information to make an informed decision. In separate studies, Jean Crête and Robert MacDermid examine existing studies and data on the relationship between attention to media and voter information and behaviours. Both studies discuss methods for improving voter information. Televised leaders debates have become an.;The Media and Politics: Some Conclusions -- Recommendations -- Appendices -- Notes -- Bibliography -- 3. The Importance and Potential of Leaders Debates -- An Overview of the 1984 and 1988 Elections -- The Effect of Leaders Debates on Vote Decisions -- The Effect of Leaders Debates on Voter Turnout -- The Effect of Leaders Debates on Attitudes toward Party Leaders -- The Effect of Leaders Debates on Political Knowledge -- Conclusions and Recommendations -- Notes -- References -- 4. The Organization of Televised Leaders Debates in the United States, Europe, Australia and Canada.;Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Preface -- 1. Television, Advertising and Canadian Elections -- Introduction -- The Media -- Knowledge of and Interest in Politics -- Media Agendas and Political Personalities -- Media Effects on Voting -- Conclusion and Discussion -- Appendix -- Notes -- Bibliography -- 2. Media Usage and Political Behaviour -- Introduction -- Media Attention -- The Sociodemographic Correlates of Media Attention -- The Political Behaviour Correlates of Media Attention -- Media Impact on Political Opinions and Political Behaviour.

This volume presents five studies on the relationship between the media and voters. Each examines some aspects of the flow of information to voters during election campaigns and all reflect the assumption that the right to vote must include the right of access and sufficient information to make an informed decision.

In separate studies, Jean Crête and Robert MacDermid examine existing studies and data on the relationship between attention to media and voter information and behaviours. Both studies discuss methods for improving voter information.

Televised leaders debates have become an important feature of democratic elections. Cathy Widdis Barr examines the effects of these debates on Canadian voters in 1984 and 1988, concluding that they were an important source of campaign information for less-informed voters. Robert Bernier and Denis Monière provide the most comprehensive comparative overview available on the importance of televised leaders debates and the policy issues surrounding them in democratic countries.

Finally, Lyndsay Green examines the potential of new communication technologies for improving the information available to voters during campaigns, with particular attention to voters with special information needs.

Taken together, the five studies provide a useful overview of the effectiveness of various forms of campaign communication in informing voters. Much of the material presented here is not readily available elsewhere.

This volume presents five studies on the relationship between the media and voters. Each examines some aspects of the flow of information to voters during election campaigns and all reflect the assumption that the right to vote must include the right of access and sufficient information to make an informed decision. In separate studies, Jean Crête and Robert MacDermid examine existing studies and data on the relationship between attention to media and voter information and behaviours. Both studies discuss methods for improving voter information. Televised leaders debates have become an important feature of democratic elections. Cathy Widdis Barr examines the effects of these debates on Canadian voters in 1984 and 1988, concluding that they were an important source of campaign information for less-informed voters. Robert Bernier and Denis Monière provide the most comprehensive comparative overview available on the importance of televised leaders debates and the policy issues surrounding them in democratic countries. Finally, Lyndsay Green examines the potential of new communication technologies for improving the information available to voters during campaigns, with particular attention to voters with special information needs. Taken together, the five studies provide a useful overview of the effectiveness of various forms of campaign communication in informing voters. Much of the material presented here is not readily available elsewhere Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents -- Foreword -- Introduction -- Preface -- 1. Television, Advertising and Canadian Elections -- Introduction -- The Media -- Knowledge of and Interest in Politics -- Media Agendas and Political Personalities -- Media Effects on Voting -- Conclusion and Discussion -- Appendix -- Notes -- Bibliography -- 2. Media Usage and Political Behaviour -- Introduction -- Media Attention -- The Sociodemographic Correlates of Media Attention -- The Political Behaviour Correlates of Media Attention -- Media Impact on Political Opinions and Political Behaviour. Introduction -- Televised Debates in the United States -- Televised Debates in Europe and Australia -- Televised Debates in Canada -- Conclusion and Recommendations -- Interviews -- Bibliography -- 5. Improving Voter Information About Parties and Candidates -- Voter Information Methods -- Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Canadians -- Blind and Visually Impaired Canadians -- Conclusion -- Notes -- Interviews -- References -- Contributors to Volume 18 -- Acknowledgements -- The Collected Research Studies -- Commission Organization -- Editorial, Design and Production Services. This document discusses television, advertising, and Canadian elections; media usage and political behaviour; the importance and potential of leaders debates; the organization of televised leaders debates in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada; and improving voter information about parties and candidates. It contains figures on television, advertising and Canadian elections and the importance and potential of leaders debates. It also includes tables on television, advertising, and Canadian elections, media usage and political behaviour, the importance and potential of leader's debates, and the organization of televised leader debates in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada Frederick J. Fletcher, Editor. ... Commissioned As Part Of The Research Program Of The Royal Commission On Electoral Reform And Party Financing--p. Ii. Includes Bibliographical References.