Book discussion: (Not) kidding: politics in online tabloids
Please join us for this Politics and Sociology seminar co-organised by UCL SSEES and the UCL Social Research Institute
Book discussion: (Not) kidding: politics in online tabloids
24 Oct 2024, 17:00 – 19:00
UCL Social Research Institute, jointly with UCL SSEES, is hosting a panel discussion concerning Dr Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer’s newest book, ”(Not) kidding: politics in online tabloids” (Brill, 2024). Dr Chmielewska-Szlajfer is an Assistant Professor at Kozminski University and a Visiting Fellow at the LSE Department of Media and Communications, she will be joined in the discussion by Prof Michał Garapich (London Metropolitan University), Prof Tony Travers (LSE), and the moderator Dr Roch Dunin-Wąsowicz (UCL).
The book provides a detailed analysis of the media coverage during the 2015-2016 US presidential and Brexit campaigns, focusing on the articles and reader comments in major British, Polish, and US online tabloids such as Mail Online, Pudelek, and Gawker. Additionally, her interviews with 20 journalists and editors from these outlets shed light on their newsrooms, production techniques, and professional values. The book explores the emotional public sphere of comment sections and introduces the concept of the “(not) kidding” frame, which highlights the ambiguity and reactive nature of tabloid media, and how they navigate accusations of undermining democracy.
We will discuss these findings, as they remain particularly relevant in light of the upcoming presidential elections in the United States.
Dr Helena Chmielewska-Szlajfer
is an Assistant Professor at Koźmiński University and a Visiting Fellow at LSE Department for Media & Communications. She received her PhD in Sociology from The New School for Social Research (2014). She is the author of “(Not) Kidding: Online Tabloid Politics" (Brill, 2024), “Reshaping Poland's Community after Communism: Ordinary Celebrations” (Palgrave, 2019), “Kazimierz Kelles-Krauz: Marxism and Sociology” (Warsaw University Press, 2014; Brill, 2018). She studies everyday civic practices as well as news media, online politics, and news avoidance.
Dr Roch Dunin-Wąsowicz
is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Sociology at the UCL Social Research Institute (IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society) and a Research Associate at the Conflict and Civicness Research Group at LSE IDEAS. His academic training is in political sociology. He graduated from the New School for Social Research in New York City and obtained his PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Dr. Dunin-Wąsowicz has a track record of academic evidence-based research in the field of sociology with a focus on civil society, migration and European integration. He currently researches transnational business-oriented mobilisation influencing Ukraine's domestic security.
Prof Michał Garapich
is an anthropologist, author and co-author of over 60 publications in English, Polish, French, Czech and German. He holds a PhD from Jagiellonian University, Kraków, supervised by Prof. Zdzisław Mach. After a PhD scholarship at the University of Padova, he lectured and conducted research at University of Surrey, and then at University of Roehampton. In 2023 he took the position of Professor of Sociology at the London Metropolitan University, at the School of Social Sciences and Professions.
Prof Tony Travers
is a Visiting Professor in LSE Department of Government and Director of LSE London. His key research interests include local and regional government, elections and public service reform. Professor Travers' knowledge is frequently sought by policy makers and he has advised a range of select committees and think tanks. He also provides expert analysis for broadcast and print media, regularly appearing on major television and radio networks. Prof. Travers has also written several books, including "London's Boroughs at 50".
Further information
Ticketing
Pre-booking essential
Cost
Free
Open to
All
Availability
Yes