Published since January 1, 1976

Communications

The European Journal of Communication Research

ISSN: 1613-4087

Edited by: Stefanie Averbeck-Lietz, Leen d'Haenens

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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

Your Benefits

Your benefits

European perspective on communication research
Specialized expertise on communication processes
Societal references of the research
Broad topics
Interdisciplinary approach to journal’s subject matter

History

Communications was founded in 1975 by Alphons Silbermann in cooperation with the German Society for Communication Research (DGKF). The journal has been published by De Gruyter Mouton since 2002.

Other publications in the field:

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Supplementary Materials

Topics

External Links

Online Submission of Manuscripts

Volume 48 Issue 2

May 2023

Publicly Available May 26, 2023

Titelseiten

Page range: I-VI

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Articles

Open Access May 26, 2023

The role of identification and self-referencing in narrative persuasion

Anneke de Graaf

Page range: 163-179

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Abstract

Previous studies have shown that identification and self-referencing can both function as mechanisms of narrative persuasion. However, it is not yet clear whether they are compatible and can work together in bringing about persuasive effects of narratives, or not. Therefore, this study examines both identification and self-referencing and studies their relation and effects. A 2x2 between-subjects experiment was conducted among 185 student participants, with the factors ‘perspective’ (1st vs. 3rd person) to influence identification and ‘similarity’ (young student protagonist vs. older working protagonist) to influence self-referencing. Results showed that identification mediated indirect effects of perspective on story-consistent belief and self-referencing mediated indirect effects of similarity on story-consistent belief. Moreover, identification and self-referencing serially mediated indirect effects on story-consistent belief. These results indicate that identification and self-referencing are compatible processes which can work together as mechanisms of narrative persuasion.

May 26, 2023

Health-related communication in everyday life: Communication partners, channels, and patterns

Anna Wagner, Doreen Reifegerste

Page range: 180-201

Abstract

Although health matters are commonly discussed in various social contexts, health-related interpersonal communication still remains a black box in health communication research. Bringing together research from the fields of health communication and interpersonal communication, we therefore examine how people communicate about health and illness in their everyday lives. Based on Channel Complementary Theory and the concept of communication repertoires, we focus on a) the communication partners, b) the communication channels, and c) the communication patterns relevant to health-related interpersonal communication. We conducted a qualitative study with 22 semi-structured online interviews combined with ego-centered network maps. Findings show that a) what is discussed with whom depends on the intimacy of the relationship, topic sensitivity, and partners’ personal characteristics, b) face-to-face communication is the preferred way of communicating, and c) (a-)symmetry of roles, (in)formality, and intimacy of the relationship influence communication.

May 26, 2023

We’re a good match: Selective political friending on social networking sites

Manuel Cargnino, German Neubaum, Stephan Winter

Page range: 202-225

Abstract

To date, the role of user behavior in the formation of politically homogeneous online environments (oftentimes called echo chambers) is not fully understood. Building on selective exposure research, we introduce the notion of selective political friending, that is, the preference for political like-mindedness in social affiliations on social networking sites. In a pre-registered laboratory experiment with users of social networking sites in Germany (N = 199), we find that users preferably build connections with those who share their opinions toward controversial political issues. Political like-mindedness outperforms other friending criteria such as popularity or career-related fit with another user. Political friending is pronounced when individuals’ pre-existing opinions are strong. The present study points to the necessity to take the motivational complexity into account when studying phenomena linked to political homogeneity on SNS.

May 26, 2023

Israeli media coverage of international male and female politicians: Gender and ethnopolitical aspects

Gilad Greenwald

Page range: 226-248

Abstract

In 2015, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth began a campaign against Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Margot Wallström, who is considered a prominent critic of Israeli policy in Palestine. The campaign included various aspects of media bias on both the gender and the ethnopolitical levels and thus raised the question of a possible relationship between these two types of biases. Studies in relation to political communication and gender have traditionally focused on the media coverage of domestic male and female politicians. The present study attempts to examine the gender media coverage of prominent international political actors. It performs a mixed content analysis of 529 news items from three Israeli online newspapers, reports, and articles, which cover world-renowned public figures (among them, Wallström). Each news item is coded into three gender-coverage frames. Additionally, a critical reading of the journalistic texts is conducted. The findings reveal that the combination of the two types of biases, the gender and the political, escalates the media sensation and stereotyping.

Open Access May 26, 2023

Framing pension reform in the news: Traditional versus social media

Linda van den Heijkant, Martine van Selm, Iina Hellsten, Rens Vliegenthart

Page range: 249-272

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Abstract

Social media are increasingly important in the news menu of media users. Differences in news production processes between traditional and social media may lead to differences in how political and social issues are depicted, and this may, eventually, have consequences for the information that reaches citizens about an issue. Against this background, this study compares content across the two media types to examine whether and how the framing of a sociopolitical issue differs between newspaper articles and posts on social media. The empirical analyses are based on a content analysis of newspaper articles ( n = 414) and social media messages ( n = 2,771) conducted in the context of the socially contested issue of raising the retirement age in the Netherlands. Findings suggest that different content production processes can still lead to similar outcomes as both media types emphasize problems with (instead of solutions to) the retirement age issue. Our findings also confirm differences across traditional and social media, although these differences are substantially relatively small. While traditional news media emphasize conflict-related frames more often than social media, social media present more frame diversity in solutions.

May 26, 2023

State vs. anti-vaxxers: Analysis of Covid-19 echo chambers in Serbia

Ljubisa Bojic, Nemanja Nikolic, Lana Tucakovic

Page range: 273-291

Abstract

Times of uncertainty and fear were brought on by Covid-19. The ongoing pandemic is a fruitful ground for fake news, as citizens try to find explanations that fit into their worldviews. This process polarizes society and creates echo chambers amplified by recommender systems. Our main goal is to detect anti-vaxxer echo chambers in Serbia by analyzing online reactions to the recent detention of prominent anti-vaxxer Dr. Jovana Stojkovic. A content analysis of online comments is deployed in anti-regime left-leaning, anti-regime right-leaning, and pro-government media to explore attitudes towards a vaccination conspiracy theory, police action towards anti-vaxxers, and the government crisis response team. We clearly identify the anti-vaccine echo chamber among commentators of anti-regime right-leaning media (YouTube podcasts). Additionally, we describe attitudes expressed around issues related to vaccination. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Publicly Available May 26, 2023

Linking citizens’ anti-immigration attitudes to their digital user engagement and voting behavior

David De Coninck, Hajo G. Boomgaarden, Anne Maria (Annabel) Buiter, Leen d’Haenens

Page range: 292-314

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Abstract

Societally salient issues, like migration, stimulate user engagement with political parties on social media. This user engagement, in turn, is associated with political behavior, such as voting. Nonetheless, few studies so far have investigated the interaction between these factors. We examine how anti-immigration attitudes are associated with user engagement with political parties on social media. In this study, user engagement is understood as following political parties on social media. Through online data that were collected in October 2019 among adults (N= 1,000) in Belgium, we investigate how attitudes and user engagement are associated with voting behavior. Results suggest that attitudes towards migration are associated with user engagement with both left and right-wing parties on social media. Moreover, these attitudes and user engagement – and the interaction between the two – are related to voting behavior: being against (being in favor of) migration and following right-wing (left-wing) parties on social media is associated with a higher likelihood of voting for a right-wing (left-wing) party.

May 26, 2023

Media populism and the life-cycle of the Norwegian Progress Party

Juha Herkman, Bente Kalsnes

Page range: 315-335

Abstract

The paper examines the media attention given to the Norwegian Progress Party (FrP) during the parliamentary elections in which it participated between 1973 and 2017. Particular attention is paid to the ideas of media populism and the so-called life-cycle model that outlines the relationship between the different media types and a populist movement regarding its life span. Our data consist of media coverage of the parliamentary election campaigns in Norway in Verdens Gang’s (tabloid) and Aftenposten’s (legacy) newspapers between 1973 and 2017 in general (n=16,536) and the FrP’s media attention in these two major newspapers in particular (n=1,671). The research method employed was a quantitative content analysis. The media coverage of the FrP follows somewhat the life-cycle model, but the party’s internal development and status in the political field, immigration as an individual issue, and changes in political and the media environments seem more important factors for the media attention.

Book review

May 26, 2023

Heijns, A. (2021). The role of Henri Borel in Chinese translation history. London, New York: Routledge. 216 pp.

Shuai Chi, Mingwu Xu

Page range: 336-338

May 26, 2023

Pinchevski, A. (2019). Transmitted Wounds: Media and the Mediation of Trauma. New York: Oxford University Press. 186 pp.

Tal Morse

Page range: 339-341

May 26, 2023

McQuail, D. & Deuze, M. (2020). McQuail’s Media & Mass Communication Theory (seventh edition). London: SAGE. 672 pp.

Stijn Joye

Page range: 342-343

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Volume 48 (2023)

Volume 47 (2022)

Volume 46 (2021)

Volume 45 (2020)

Volume 44 (2019)

Volume 43 (2018)

Volume 42 (2017)

Volume 41 (2016)

Volume 40 (2015)

Volume 39 (2014)

Volume 38 (2013)

Volume 37 (2012)

Volume 36 (2011)

Volume 35 (2010)

Volume 34 (2009)

Volume 33 (2008)

Volume 32 (2007)

Volume 31 (2006)

Volume 30 (2005)

Volume 29 (2004)

Volume 28 (2003)

Volume 27 (2002)

Volume 26 (2001)

Volume 25 (2000)

Volume 24 (1999)

Volume 23 (1998)

Volume 22 (1997)

Volume 21 (1996)

Volume 20 (1995)

Volume 19 (1994)

Volume 18 (1993)

Volume 17 (1992)

Volume 16 (1991)

Volume 15 (1990)

Volume 14 (1988)

Volume 13 (1987)

Volume 12 (1986)

Volume 11 (1985)

Volume 10 (1984)

Issue 1-3

Volume 9 (1983)

Volume 8 (1982)

Volume 7 (1981)

Volume 6 (1980)

Volume 5 (1979)

Volume 4 (1978)

Volume 3 (1977)

Volume 2 (1976)

5-year Journal Impact Factor	1.639
CiteScore	2.5
European Reference Index for the Humanities
Journal Impact Factor	1.339
Journal Citation Indicator	0.58
SCImago Journal Rank	0.497
Source Normalized Impact per Paper	0.996

Submit

Submission
Communications invites submissions from a broad thematic field of communication research. Manuscripts should represent original work, should not be published elsewhere or in another language, and should not be submitted to other journals simultaneously. Manuscripts for consideration in Communications should be submitted via the online submission system.

Your benefits of publishing with us

Increasing Impact Factor
SCImago Journal Rank
Decisions on your submission made as soon as possible
Every article easily discoverable because of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and comprehensive abstracting and indexing services
Secure archiving by De Gruyter and the independent archiving service Portico
Ahead-of-print publishing ensures faster processing of fully proof-read, DOI-citable articles

Submission process

Submit your paper via the online sumbmission system following the Instructions for Authors (The Instructions for Authors file can be found on this website on the 'Overview' tab, under the heading 'Supplementary files'.)
Double blind peer reviewing process
You will receive PDF proofs for correction
In case of any problems the editorial staff will make its best to answer all your queries

Please note

Submissions should be written in English. Contributors whose native language is not English should have their manuscripts read by a native speaker before submission
Examples not in English must have aligned interlinear glosses and an idiomatic translation
Before submitting your article please have a look at our Ethical Guidelines and our Copyright Transfer Agreement
Once your article is accepted you have the option to publish it open access
Our Repository Policy allows you to distribute 30 PDF copies of your published article to colleagues (the PDF has to include the information that it is an author's copy). Please also feel free to distribute the link to the online abstract
If you have any general questions please visit our FAQ page for authors

We look forward to receiving your manuscript!

Hybrid Open Access

In this journal, authors have the option to publish their article under an open access license. Open Access allows you as an author to retain copyright and share your findings with colleagues and interested parties worldwide without any restraints.
Please note that authors from institutions with which we have a transformative agreement can publish open access without paying an article processing charge (APC). More information on the eligible institutions and articles can be found under the "Funding and Support" tab here.

Editorial

Editors

Stefanie Averbeck-Lietz
Department of Political Science and Communication Studies, University of Greifswald, Germany

Leen d'Haenens
Centre for Media Culture and Communication Technology, K. U. Leuven, Belgium

Associate Editors
Denisa Hejlová, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University in Prague, Czechia
Philippe J. Maarek, Université Paris Est-UPEC, CECCOPOP, France
Tristan Mattelart, Université Paris-2, France
Hillel Nossek, Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee, Israel
Christian Pentzold, Universität Leipzig, Germany
Cristina Ponte, Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal

Book Review Editors
Stijn Joye, University of Ghent, Belgium
Heidi Vandebosch, University of Antwerp, Belgium
Olivier Driessens, University of Copenhagen, Denmark 　

Editorial Management
Viviane Harkort, ZeMKI, Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research, University of Bremen, Germany

Editorial Board

Hanna Adoni, Interdisciplinary Center (IDC), Herzliya, Israel
Akiba Cohen, Tel Aviv University, Israel
Andreas Hepp, University of Bremen, Gemany
John L. Hochheimer, Southern Illinois University, USA
Klaus Bruhn Jensen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Leif Kramp, Universität Bremen, ZeMKI
†Klaus Krippendorff, University of Pennsylvania, USA
Friedrich Krotz, University of Bremen, Germany
Ivan Lacasa, International University of Catalonia, Spain
Ekkehard Mochmann, German Society for Communication Research (DGKF), Cologne, Germany
Beata Ociepka, University of Wrocław, Poland
Irena Reifová, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republich
Keith Roe, K. U. Leuven, Belgium
Jan Servaes, City University of Hong Kong, China
Laura Vandenbosch, K. U. Leuven, Belgium
Christian von Sikorski, University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany
Katrin Voltmer, School of Media and Communications, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
Karin Wahl-Jorgensen, Cardiff University, UK

Editorial Assistance
Annalena Oeffner Ferreira, ZeMKI, Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research, University of Bremen, Germany

(Deutsch)

Online ISSN: 1613-4087
Print ISSN: 0341-2059
Type: Journal
Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter Mouton
First published: January 1, 1976
Publication Frequency: 4 Issues per Year
Audience: Researchers and practitioners interested in communication studies, especially Scholars and Students in Communication and Media, Communication Sociologists, and Linguists