Communication, Activism and the News Media: An Agenda for Future Research

This study examines two central questions focusing on the news media and political change: How do we best understand the relationship between the news media and political change? How do we best understand the interaction between the news media and social movements? The analysis initially relates these two questions to three broad issues, exploring the importance of digital activism, stressing the need to examine issues related to power in order to fully grapple with these questions, and highlighting the ahistorical nature of research on digital activism and on disinformation campaigns. Following this discussion, the study defines a detailed agenda for future framing research, pointing to significant shortcomings in this perspective. These limitations include conceptual difficulties in the definition of frames, and the failure of many studies to analyze frame sponsorship and the centrality of resources in the ability to sponsor frames. Subsequently, this discussion focuses on the lack of attention to framing processes in most of the research literature, and the failure to consider emotions as an influence on framing. This study concludes by examining how engaged or activist research can address shortcomings in framing research. By revitalizing framing research, we can better understand the complex relationship between the news media and political change and between the news media and social movements

Communication Activism| Seizing the Social Justice Opportunity: Communication Activism Research at a Politically Critical Juncture

We thank J. Kevin Barge, Robert W. McChesney, and Michelle Rodino-Colocino for their thoughtprovoking responses&mdash;from their respective perspectives of applied communication research (ACR), media studies, and critical-cultural communication research (CCCR)&mdash;to our essay explicating communication activism research (CAR) as a distinct form of engaged communication research. This response acknowledges important connections among our views of engaged communication scholarship, in general, and CAR, in particular, and focuses on some specific points on which we might disagree.</p

Communication, Activism and the News Media: An Agenda for Future Research

This study examines two central questions focusing on the news media and political change: How do we best understand the relationship between the news media and political change? How do we best understand the interaction between the news media and social movements? The analysis initially relates these two questions to three broad issues, exploring the importance of digital activism, stressing the need to examine issues related to power in order to fully grapple with these questions, and highlighting the ahistorical nature of research on digital activism and on disinformation campaigns. Following this discussion, the study defines a detailed agenda for future framing research, pointing to significant shortcomings in this perspective. These limitations include conceptual difficulties in the definition of frames, and the failure of many studies to analyze frame sponsorship and the centrality of resources in the ability to sponsor frames. Subsequently, this discussion focuses on the lack of attention to framing processes in most of the research literature, and the failure to consider emotions as an influence on framing. This study concludes by examining how engaged or activist research can address shortcomings in framing research. By revitalizing framing research, we can better understand the complex relationship between the news media and political change and between the news media and social movements

Communication Activism: Vol. 1, Communication for Social Change

Robbin Crabtree is a contributing author, Chapter 6. Book description: The need for communication scholars to engage in direct vigorous action in support of needed social change has never been more apparent and important, for there is no shortage of social issues and problems that demand attention. In short, communication scholars need to engage in communication activism. The two volumes showcase how scholars have engaged in communication activism to assist individuals, groups, organizations, and communities to secure social reform. Volume 1 presents research studies that promote public dialogue, debate, and discussion and that demonstrate how communication consulting can be used to accomplish needed social change. Together the two texts demonstrate the significant effects that communication scholars, working from many different theoretical and methodological traditions within the discipline, can have on promoting social change, especially for those who are most marginalized, when they engage in communication activism. – Publisher Descriptionhttps://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/communications-books/1002/thumbnail.jp