Impact Factor: 1.339

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 1

March 2023

Publicly Available March 8, 2023

Titelseiten

Page range: I-VI

Download PDF

March 8, 2023

Editorial 2023

Stefanie Averbeck-Lietz, Leen d’Haenens

Page range: 1-4

Articles

March 8, 2023

Media framing of immigrants in Central Europe in the period surrounding the refugee crisis: Security, negativity, and political sources

Jan Kovář

Page range: 5-27

Abstract

This article investigates how all the main quality and tabloid newspapers and the television newscasts of the main broadcasters in Czechia and Slovakia framed immigrants, what the tone of the employed frames was, and who the main framing actors were before and during the EU refugee crisis (2013–2016). Using quantitative content analysis (N = 7,910), we show that security and cultural frames are most commonly employed while the victimization frame is much less common. Whereas tabloids use the security and cultural frames more often, the victimization, economic and administrative frames are more often invoked in quality media. We also show that the framing of immigrants is predominantly negative, and that the security and cultural are the most negatively valenced frames. Finally, we document a dominance of political actors and the practical invisibility of immigrants and refugees in the media coverage.

Open Access March 8, 2023

Inappropriate? Gay characters affect adults’ perceived age appropriateness of animated cartoons

Christian von Sikorski, Brigitte Naderer, Doreen Brandt

Page range: 28-42

More Download PDF

Abstract

Children’s movies and animated cartoons today increasingly include homosexual characters, which can be welcomed from an equal-rights perspective. Yet, an intensive public debate has been initiated regarding the (age) appropriateness of such depictions. So far, it is unclear how heterosexual adults react to the presence of gay characters in children’s animated cartoons. Drawing from social identity theory, we conducted an experiment in Germany. Using the Powtoon animation software, we created two versions of a trailer of a fictitious animated cartoon based on two almost identical storylines – one involving a heterosexual couple and the other a lesbian couple. Participants were exposed to only one version. Results of the experiment revealed that adults gave higher age ratings to the version that featured the lesbian couple. Yet, this effect was moderated, with only center- to right-leaning persons being affected. No effects were detected for left-leaning individuals. An exploratory analysis further revealed a moderation effect for individuals who believed in protection myths (i. e., protecting children from exposure to homosexuality), resulting in them giving higher age ratings compared to people who did not believe in protection myths. Implications are discussed, and age-rating measures are proposed for examining reactions to gay characters in communication research.

March 8, 2023

Public service media as drivers of innovation: A case study analysis of policies and strategies in Spain, Ireland, and Belgium

Sabela Direito-Rebollal, Karen Donders

Page range: 43-67

Abstract

In the post-broadcast era, public service media (PSM) organizations have to innovate, stay up-to-date with new ways of consuming content, and experiment with the manifold opportunities that interactivity offers for audience engagement. At the same time, they are still obligated to achieve their public service remit and guarantee that services comply with values such as universality, diversity, creativity, and innovation. This article analyzes the innovation policies and strategies of PSM to understand if these are shifting from a technology-centric to a user-centric approach. It evaluates what areas of innovation are prioritized by both policy-makers and public broadcasters and whether these areas correspond with the innovation goals entrusted to PSM organizations by scholars. To this end, we adopted a multi-case study approach. The focus is on three public broadcasters of varying size and situated in different political, cultural, and economic backgrounds: RTVE (Spain), RTÉ (Ireland), and VRT (Belgium). Based on a qualitative document analysis, we conclude that innovation remains largely technology-centric. Strategies are oriented to the implementation of new technologies, the digital distribution of the content, and the collaboration with external partners. However, these public broadcasters have not yet promoted concrete actions to encourage the participation of their audiences.

March 8, 2023

The relationship between differential media exposure and attitudes towards Muslims and Islam and the potential consequences on voting intention towards banning veiling in public

Beatrice Eugster, Dorothee Arlt, Franzisca Schmidt

Page range: 68-92

Abstract

This article focuses on how exposure to different media genres relates to two components of attitudes, Muslims as a group and Islam as a religion. It also highlights how these components mediate the relationship between media exposure and behavioral intention, namely voting intention towards banning veiling in public spaces. The analysis builds on an online survey conducted in Switzerland. We found that exposure to specific media genres is not equally associated with attitudes towards Muslims versus attitudes towards Islam. Contrary to our expectation, we did not find the association to be stronger when it came to influencing attitudes towards Muslims as compared to influencing attitudes towards Islam. However, our findings clearly showed that it matters whether people consume news via television or newspapers, especially mass-market (commercial television and tabloids) versus upmarket news (public television and quality newspapers). Attitudes towards Muslims living in Switzerland are more negative among those consuming mass-market news than those consuming upmarket news. Anti-Islam attitudes, however, were only associated with reading newspapers—both tabloids and quality newspapers. The findings provided only partial support for the mediating role of attitudes towards Muslims and Islam concerning the indirect relation between media exposure and voting intention towards banning veiling.

March 8, 2023

Influencers as political agents? The potential of an unlikely source to motivate political action

Brigitte Naderer

Page range: 93-111

Abstract

The impact of social media influencers (SMIs) on brand-related outcomes has been well researched, yet whether this influence also impacts political participation and what role the relationship between SMIs and their audiences play has not been sufficiently examined to date. Basing this study on the Balance Model, I investigated the potential of an unlikely vs. a likely source and the role of similarity with a SMI based on a shared topic interest to elicit the intention for political action in an experimental study (n = 222). The perceived similarity with the SMI was examined as a mediator and the role of the shared topic interest with the SMI as a potential moderator. The results indicate that a likely source for political information generated a greater topic fit. The perceived similarity with the source depended on the shared topic interest between the source and the participants. This is a key finding, as perceived similarity with the source in turn predicted the intention to take political action, which positively activated participants who shared the topic interest of the unlikely source even if they did not indicate a topic interest in politics. Thus, a shared interest with a SMI might make even those not interested in politics more open to political participation.

March 8, 2023

Pink-wearing hairdressers to manly gay men: LGBT+ in Flemish children’s fiction

Thalia van Wichelen, Alexander Dhoest

Page range: 112-129

Abstract

This paper provides critical insights into the inclusion of sexual minorities in Flemish fictional TV shows aimed at children. Narratives including LGBT+ characters and non-normative gender performances have gained presence, and especially Nordic and Dutch productions have been acknowledged for their inclusive storytelling. Following up on this premise, our study analyzes five Flemish programs aimed at children aged six to twelve, which all include at least one character who identifies as LGBT+. Our analysis concludes that Flemish children’s productions show a visible willingness to include diversified and inclusive storytelling. However, the assimilationist venture of minimizing the ‘otherness’ of non-heterosexual characters has led to a rather homogenous and normative portrayal of these characters. More stereotypical representations like frivolous singing hairdressers have now been replaced by rather heteronormative and gender-conforming characters. Not confining representations to either end of the spectrum are a necessity if Flemish children’s television wants its audience to understand the diversified range of sexual and gender identities.

March 8, 2023

When citizens get fed up. Causes and consequences of issue fatigue – Results of a two-wave panel study during the coronavirus crisis

Christina Schumann, Dorothee Arlt

Page range: 130-153

Abstract

In the context of the long-lasting coronavirus crisis, this study examines the occurrence, causes, and consequences of issue fatigue – a phenomenon that refers to a feeling of annoyance with an issue that is repeated continually in the news. Using data obtained from a representative two-wave panel survey conducted online in April and May 2020 (n = 1,232) in Germany, the study employed a cross-lagged panel model to examine longitudinal relations. First, the results indicate that a considerable share of the German population already felt fatigued with the coronavirus issue in April, and that this proportion increased by May. Second, in terms of causes, the results show that perceptions of low news credibility and perceived “victimization” of other topics caused high levels of issue fatigue. However, effects of the reverse direction were also present, pointing to a mutual reinforcement of issue fatigue and media perceptions. Third, regarding consequences, the results reveal that recipients experiencing issue fatigue increasingly avoided coronavirus news, and also tended to disregard coronavirus hygiene rules.

Book review

March 8, 2023

Nelson, J. (2021). Imagined audiences. How journalists perceive and pursue the public. Oxford University Press. 209 pp.

Hartley J. Møller

Page range: 154-156

Open Access March 8, 2023

Skogerbø, E., Ihlen, Ø., Nörgaard Kristensen, N., & Nord, L. (eds.) (2021). Power, communication, and politics in the Nordic countries. Gothenburg: Nordicom. 396 pp.

Mattias Ekman

Page range: 157-159

Download PDF

March 8, 2023

Kerrigan, P. (2021). LGBTQ visibility, media and sexuality in Ireland. London: Routledge. 192 pp.

Florian Vanlee

Page range: 160-162

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Ahead of Print / Just Accepted

Volume 48 (2023)

Issue 1

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 Impact Factor	1.639
Cite Score	2.5
European Reference Index for the Humanities
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
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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