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Welcome to the Winter 2008 Issue
This is my last issue as editor of Political Communication Report. For those of you who keep track of such things, you might notice that this issue is a bit late in being distributed. All things being equal, I would not want to go out on this note. But all things aren't equal in this issue. We have a truly fabulous commentary and roundtable discussion on the subject of media measures used by the American National Election Studies at the University of Michigan. As many of you know, ANES surveys are a staple in the field of political communication research, and their measures of media exposure and acquisition are widely recognized as fundamental data points in the field. It may surprise you to learn that these measures have not been significantly updated since the early 1980s--despite the fact that the media universe has changed considerably, and the fact that we know a great deal more today about how people process political information.
Recently, the ANES commissioned Scott Althaus and David Tewksbury to take a new look at the media measures used by the organization, and their report serves as our subject for this issue's roundtable. The ANES has not yet adopted Althaus and Tewksbury's proposals and is still receptive to comments from others in the field. This is a rare opportunity for PCR to serve as a public forum on an issue that will have real consequences for the field. I wanted to ensure that we had a diversity of people represented in the roundtable, so I waited a few weeks to get all the contributions. As you will see, it was well worth the wait.
I want to thank Scott and David for bringing the issue to my attention, and Robert Shapiro, Jason Barabas, William Eveland and his colleagues, and Erika Franklin Fowler, Ken Goldstein, and Dhavan Shah for taking the time to provide their comments on Scott and David's report. And I want to encourage other scholars in the field to read the report as well. They can send their comments either to Scott or David, or to the ANES directly. I believe the period for comment is fast closing, so if interested you should give the commentary and roundtable immediate attention.
That said, I want to say how much fun it has been serving as editor of PCR. I have benefited from the great legacy left to me by past editors Richard Davis, Kevin Barnhurst and Jill Edy, and from the willingness of countless division members to lend a hand during my stay. It has truly been a pleasure.
And it is a pleasure to introduce the next editor of PCR, Richard Stanton of the University of Sydney. Richard is the first editor of PCR from overseas. He has a world of experience as a journalist and writer, which should stand him in good stead during his tenure as editor. I wish him the best of luck.
Aside from the commentary and rountable, you can find the normal array of goodies to the left, including new book releases, calls for papers, a list of upcoming meetings and grants, and a featured data resource.
See you at ICA!
David Ryfe
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