Identifier

etd-11152006-125034

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Mass Communication

Document Type

Dissertation

Abstract

A study of 10 states that have statewide public affairs television networks finds that these systems have become an integral part of the state governmental process in the same way that C-SPAN has become an institution in Washington, D.C. That is, lawmakers, legislative staff members, lobbyists, and statehouse reporters ignore it at their peril. At the same time, the content produced by these state versions of C-SPAN has altered the way in which the members of these groups do their jobs by providing a monitoring capacity that makes it easier for them to be more productive. This study uses a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to examine data gathered through in-depth interviews with network managers and employees, legislative staff members, lobbyists, and statehouse reporters and through a national telephone survey that sought to determine if there was an audience for statewide public affairs television. The study seeks to expand the applicability of institutionalism theory by using it as the framework to examine statewide public affairs television through the lenses of civic engagement, policy-making, norms and routines, social network analysis, and diffusion of innovation.

Date

2006

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

David Kurpius

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_dissertations.1709

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