In this successful and well established textbook, Brian McNair examines how politicians, trade unions, pressure groups and terrorist organizations make use of the media. Separate chapters look at political media and their effects, the work of political advertising, marketing and public relations, and the communicative practices of organizations at all levels, from grass-root campaigning through to governments and international bodies.

This fourth edition is revised and updated to include:

• the re-election of George W. Bush in 2004
• developments in the war on terror since 2003, including the invasion of Iraq
• the re-election of New Labour in 2005
• the Gilligan affair, and changes in UK government communication since the Hutton report
• the growing role of the internet in political communication.

An Introduction to Political Communication draws on a range of contemporary examples to show how politicians and political groups communicate.