[Commlist] New Viral Media journal special issue - WPCC

New open access journal issue:

Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture: 15:1

https://www.westminsterpapers.org/36/volume/15/issue/1


Viral Media

edited by Anastasia Denisova


(From the editorial).‘Viral’ is an imperfect term for rapid spread of 
information. ‘Viral’ media communication has the potential to offer 
progressive ideas, not only toxic ones. Sharing is highly emotional and, 
unlike biological viruses, does not rely on the frailty of the immune 
system – but on psychological triggers … In times when even professional 
journalists dip into viral for the benefit of providing public 
information and engaging storytelling, there is no clear remedy for 
tackling virality … As intersectional and political studies suggest, it 
might be reasonable to limit the expanse of the viral flows and to 
question the algorithmic patterns of digital platforms.


This special edition of WPCC on Viral Media aims to address some of the 
gaps in virality studies. It looks at the interlinks between marketing, 
social theory, media studies and psychology in order to evaluate and 
clarify the concept of virality for the 2020s. Viral messages are 
playing an increasingly important role in journalism, political 
information and campaigning, as well as social cohesion – so now is the 
right time to put them under the microscope.


Contents

Editorial

How to Define ‘Viral’ for Media Studies?

Anastasia Denisova


Research Articles

Viral Media: Audience Engagement and Editorial Autonomy at BuzzFeed and Vice

Paul Stringer


Understanding Viral Communism: A Thematic Analysis of Twitter During 
Brazil’s 2018 Elections

Helton Levy,  Claudia Sarmento


Why All the Outrage? Viral Media as Corrupt Play Shaping Mainstream 
Media Narratives

Samuel Duncan


Memories of Our Youth: The Viral Spread of Radio Station Facebook Posts

Daithí McMahon


Commentaries

‘Intersectionality Went Viral’: Toxic Platforms, Distinctive Black 
Cyberfeminism and Fighting Misogynoir - An Interview with Kishonna Gray

WPCC Editorial Board


Viral Culture, Memes in Society and Politics: An Interview with 
Anastasia Denisova

WPCC Editorial Board


Published open access by the Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture

https://www.westminsterpapers.org/36/volume/15/issue/1

Published 17 March 2020

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