[ecrea] CFP: Theories of journalism in a digital age

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CFP: Theories of journalism in a digital age
Special issue of Digital Journalism (Routledge: Taylor&  Francis Group)
Guest editors: Steen Steensen and Laura Ahva

Journalism studies has in recent decades paid much attention to the
consequences of digitalization to journalistic practices, cultures and
institutions. Even though the variety of approaches to studying
journalism in a digital age has increased, there is still a tendency
to study new phenomena through the lens of established theories of
journalism. There is therefore a need to reassess theories of
journalism in order to better explain journalism’s changing role ina
digital age.

Theories of journalism are usually depicted as falling in line with
the different perspectives of sociology, history, political science,
language and culture. Journalism has been portrayed as crucial in
shaping citizen’s identities; as a facilitator of the public sphere
operating in-between the state and society; as a carrier of symbols
shaping cultural belonging and interpretation; as an essential carrier
of freedom of expression; and as a profession that upholds values and
ideals crucial to a functioning democracy. Today these normative
assumptions that have underpinned much of journalism studies need to
be scrutinized in a new environment affected by the diffusion and
socialization of digital technologies.

This special issue of Digital Journalism welcomes contributions that
reassess theories of journalism related to digitalization and the
normative assumptions underpinning most of journalism studies,
especially regarding the relationship between journalism and
democracy. It is, however, important to note that even though this
call for papers takes processes of digitalization as its starting
point, the special issue does not intend to promote deterministic
theories. On the contrary, contributions that critically question the
assumed causal relationship between digital technologies and the
changing practices and cultures of journalism are welcomed. In
addition, contributions that look beyond journalism and include other
relevant media professions/practices are appreciated. Moreover, even
if the main focus of this call for papers is on theory, empirical
studies that contribute to the generation of new theoretical knowledge
are welcomed, too.

Abstracts responding to this call should contain an outline of the
main argument proposed; how this argument reassesses existing theories
of journalism or relates journalism to new theories; and the empirical
grounds of the argument. Based on an initial review of abstracts, and
prior to a peer review of selected papers, prospective authors will
have the opportunity to present drafts of their papers in designated
panels at the Nordmedia2013 conference in Oslo, Norway, 8–11 August
2013. Please consult the conference web site for details:
http://www.hioa.no/Nordmedia2013.

Deadlines:
Abstract (no more than 500 words): 15. January 2013
Paper submission to guest editors and peer review: 1. October 2013
Final (revised paper) submission to guest editors: 31. January 2014
Publication: Late 2014 / Early 2015

Abstracts should be e-mailed to the guest editors at
(steen.steensen /at/ hioa.no)  (andlaura.ahva /at/ uta.fi)


Steen Steensen is Associate professor at the Department of Journalism
and Media Studies, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied
Sciences, Norway.

Laura Ahva is Researcher at the Department of Social Research,
University of Helsinki, and Lecturer, School of Communication, Media&
Theatre, University of Tampere, Finland




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