A Salford media expert has contributed towards a groundbreaking new book discussing the royal family’s relationship with the British media.
Dr Carole O’Reilly, Senior Lecturer in Media & Cultural Studies at Salford University has worked in an exclusive collaboration between journalists and academics to create a new book titled Royal Reporting: The Media and The Monarchy.
A brainchild of ex-BBC journalist-turned-lecturer, John Mair, the book discusses the relationship that the royal family hold with the press.
With the support of Dr. O’Reilly, the book has created an original collaboration intended for non-academic audiences. She explained: “I think the timing of the book, with the coronation, and Harry being in court this week, is a really good time to be looking at this issue, given that we are in the new age of King Charles. We want to see if, given there might be a less positive view of King Charles, how is the press going to reflect that.”
“A collaboration between journalists and academics is really unusual, and it doesn’t happen often. It hopefully makes the book more attractive to general audiences, and it means research can be more accessible.
“I think what the book is trying to do is look at the debate from journalist’s point of views that makes it attractive and readable from audiences which may be put off by academic expressions.”
Dr. O’Reilly’s chapter of the book discusses how the royal family have been reported on by the provincial press post-1953 coronation. She also documents how newspapers have attempted to reflect both pro and anti-monarchist opinions, the role photography has in the documentation of royalty, the role female members of the monarchy play in the press, and how the provincial media presents royal visits.
As a Salford researcher, Dr. O’Reilly has considered the role that royal visits to the area were portrayed, for example when Prince Philip visited the University as its patron.
She continued: “I think one thing the royal family were good at is, when on local visits, connecting the royal to that town or city, like when Prince Phillip was the Chancellor of the University, and when Sarah Ferguson visited Salford.
“There was often a reciprocal relationship between the towns and cities, and the royal themselves.”
To watch the online launch of Royal Reporting: The Media and The Monarchy, visit their YouTube page on Monday 12 June at 6pm.
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