First published in 1991, this second edition of a guide for reporters and other professional writers has been revised and updated. It contains new sections on researching and interviewing online, reporting from polls and surveys and effective listening in interviews. Incorporates new information on newsroom organisation and the effect of technological change on journalism. Includes references, a glossary and an index. The author is an experienced journalist. She is co-author of 'Ethics and the Australian News Media'.

Containing contributions by leading scholars, ‘Australian Media and the Politics of Belonging’ addresses key topical themes and concerns in contemporary Australia.

Contents: Drawing extensively on qualitative audience research and industry interviews, this book demonstrates that while 'infotainment' and satirical programmes may not follow the journalism orthodoxy, they nevertheless play an important role in the way everyday Australians understand what is happening in the world.

In recent times the frequency and severity of natural disasters has placed a clear emphasis on the ability of governments to plan, prepare and respond in an effective way. Disaster Management in Australia examines government coordination when faced with large scale crises, outlining the challenges in managing events such as the 2009 Victorian bushfires and 2011 Queensland floods. The public sector is equipped to deal with policy and service delivery in more routine environments, but crisis management often requires a wider government response where leadership, coordination, social capital, organisational culture and institutions are intertwined in the preparation, response and aftermath of large scale crises. As crises continue to increase in prevalence and severity, this book provides a tangible framework to conceptualise crisis management which can be utilised by researchers, emergency services and government officials alike. Disaster Management in Australia is an important contribution to the study of government coordination of crises and, as such, will be of considerable interest to students and scholars of disaster management, and to policy makers and practitioners looking to refine their approach.