Published by De Gruyter Mouton

Volume 37 Issue 3 - Volume 37, Issue 3 (2012) Communications, Public voice and mediated participation

Issue of Communications

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Contents
Journal Overview

July 16, 2012

Article

July 16, 2012

An introduction to public voice and mediated participation

Birgit Stark

Page range: 225-231

July 16, 2012

Changing political communication in Germany: Findings from a longitudinal study on the influence of the internet on political information, discussion and the participation of citizens

Page range: 233-252

Abstract

The internet has been discussed as a major agent of change for political communication and participation. One important dimension of possible effects is the influence of online communication on the participation habits of citizens. In this article, panel survey data from Germany that cover almost the first decade of this century are used in order to test causal hypotheses about this transformation process. The results highlight that new forms of political communication are mainly a complement to existing forms with few substitution effects. Additionally, the data demonstrate the strong role habitualization plays, particularly in the field of political information seeking and traditional forms of political discussion and participation, while online communication is still evolving with yet less fixed patterns of action.

July 16, 2012

Mapping civic experiences in Estonia

Page range: 253-274

Abstract

The article concerns civic experiences beyond or prior to civic action. Approaching questions of civic culture and democracy by way of the rather broad notion of civic experience, the author suggests that democratic values and processes involving citizens’ participation should be understood as deeply anchored in the lifeworld. The article establishes a view in which civic culture is understood from a holistic perspective as an experience. At the same time, the author is interested in the ways in which media are involved in that process, without assuming their predominance in fostering civic engagement and public connection. Drawing mainly on 20 solicited, open-ended online diaries with young adults from Narva, Tartu, and Tallinn in Estonia and the European Social Survey Round 5, the article proposes civic experience as a helpful notion to overcome the generic divide between utopian and dystopian views on the relationship between media and civic culture.

July 16, 2012

The user as producer in alternative media? The case of the Independent Communication Network (BIA).

Page range: 275-296

Abstract

This article focuses on the Independent Communication Network (BIA) as an instance of alternative media in Turkey. Throughout the study we define “alternative” media as non-dominant, counter-hegemonic media that prioritizes its distinct relationship with its audience. We report research based on in-depth interviews with the producers of the network’s online site “BIANET news” combined with focus group studies with communication students and women activists that are identified as the main audience segments of BIANET news by the newsmakers. By focusing on the agents of both production and reception, this research enables us to examine participation and its form at both ends and to expound the problems of the conditions under which the user/audience can become the producer in Turkey.

July 16, 2012

Heterogeneity within homogeneity: Impact of online skills on the use of online news media and interactive news features

Page range: 297-316

Abstract

Results of an online survey ( N = 931) reveal that, in contrast with the general belief, college students do not at all seem to be heavy users of online news media and online news features (multimedia, interactivity and hypertext). A cluster analysis shows that the use of online news media and interactive features differs among the students, a majority of them being traditional users and some, non-users. Logistic regressions demonstrate that the level of digital skills is a better predictor of news media and interactive features use than demographics. This article invites scholars in online journalism to emphasize on students’ differences rather than on similarities when it comes to measuring the impact of online news use. Our results suggest that online skills as a prerequisite for using online news media and features should be centrally taken into account in future research.

July 16, 2012

Book reviews

Page range: 317-322

About this journal

Objective
Communications: The European Journal of Communication Research is an established forum for scholarship and academic debate in the field of communication science and research from a European perspective. Communication science is concerned with the investigation of the structure and function of communication processes and their impact on society, social groups and individuals. Communications highlights the concerns of this discipline through the publication of articles, research reports, review essays and book reviews on theoretical and methodological developments considered from a European perspective. The journal encompasses the entire field of communication science as its domain of interest. The contributions published in the journal cover a wide range of subfields in communication science.

Topics

Communication reseach
Structure and function of communication
Impact on society, social groups and individuals
Interpersonal communication
Intercultural communication
Mass communication
Communication theory
Philosophy of communication
Media history
Media development and communication technology

Article formats
Original articles, research reports, review essays, and book reviews

Volume 37 Issue 3 - Volume 37, Issue 3 (2012) Communications, Public voice and mediated participation

Issue of Communications

Masthead

An introduction to public voice and mediated participation

Changing political communication in Germany: Findings from a longitudinal study on the influence of the internet on political information, discussion and the participation of citizens

Abstract

Mapping civic experiences in Estonia

Abstract

The user as producer in alternative media? The case of the Independent Communication Network (BIA).

Abstract

Heterogeneity within homogeneity: Impact of online skills on the use of online news media and interactive news features

Abstract

Book reviews