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Strong and Weak Forms of Mediatization Theory: A Critical Review

Strong and Weak Forms of Mediatization Theory: A Critical Review AbstractDuring recent years, the concept of mediatization has made a strong impact on media and communication studies, and its advocates have attempted to turn it into a refined and central theoretical framework for media research. The present article distinguishes two forms of mediatization theory: a strong form based on the assumption that a ‘media logic’ increasingly determines the actions of different social institutions and groups, and a weak form that questions such a logic, though the latter form emphasizes the key role of the media in social change and singles out mediatization as a central ‘meta-process’ today. Exponents of the weak form have convincingly criticized the notion of media logic. However, the weaker version of mediatization is itself problematic, as its advocates have failed to produce a clear explanatory framework around the concept. We argue that, although the analytical status of mediatization is unclear, fascination with the concept will, in all probability, continue in the years to come, due to the promises of heightened disciplinary coherence and status that this notion has conveyed for media and communication studies. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Nordicom Review de Gruyter

Strong and Weak Forms of Mediatization Theory: A Critical Review

Ampuja, Marko; Koivisto, Juha; Väliverronen, Esa
Nordicom Review , Volume 35 (s1): 14 – Aug 1, 2014
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Publisher
de Gruyter
Copyright
© 2014 Marko Ampuja et al., published by Sciendo
ISSN
2001-5119
eISSN
2001-5119
DOI
10.2478/nor-2014-0107
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AbstractDuring recent years, the concept of mediatization has made a strong impact on media and communication studies, and its advocates have attempted to turn it into a refined and central theoretical framework for media research. The present article distinguishes two forms of mediatization theory: a strong form based on the assumption that a ‘media logic’ increasingly determines the actions of different social institutions and groups, and a weak form that questions such a logic, though the latter form emphasizes the key role of the media in social change and singles out mediatization as a central ‘meta-process’ today. Exponents of the weak form have convincingly criticized the notion of media logic. However, the weaker version of mediatization is itself problematic, as its advocates have failed to produce a clear explanatory framework around the concept. We argue that, although the analytical status of mediatization is unclear, fascination with the concept will, in all probability, continue in the years to come, due to the promises of heightened disciplinary coherence and status that this notion has conveyed for media and communication studies.

Journal

Nordicom Review – de Gruyter

Published: Aug 1, 2014

Keywords: media logic; media studies; theory; critique; disciplinary identity; research funding

References

  • ‘Media Logic, Social Control, and Fear’
  • ‘Mediatization or Mediation?’
  • ‘Doing the Right Thing. Media and Communication Studies in a Mediatized World’
  • ‘Differentiation: Mediatization and Cultural Change’