Eine weitgehend unbekannte Größe: Freie im Lokalen: ein sozialintegratives Theoriemodell als Ansatz für eine Neujustierung der Journalismusforschung

Der theoretische Beitrag richtet seinen Fokus auf freie Mitarbeiter*innen im Lokalen in Tageszeitungen und ihren Onlineablegern. Die Akteure, die schon seit Jahrzehnten eine relevante Größe im Lokaljournalismus darstellen, haben in der Kommunikationswissenschaft bislang wenig Aufmerksamkeit erfahren. Der Beitrag liefert in zweifacher Hinsicht Anknüpfungspunkte für eine Neujustierung der Journalismusforschung: Er wählt erstens auf Akteursebene eine Definition freier Mitarbeiter*innen im Journalismus, die über bestehende Berufsfeldstudien hinausgeht. Zweitens präsentiert der Beitrag ein - in der vorgestellten Breite - neues theoretisches Modell, das die sozialintegrativen Theorien der Akteur-Struktur-Dynamiken und der Strukturationstheorie verbindet. Der Aufsatz verdeutlicht anhand konkreter Fragestellungen, dass erst eine Kombination beider Theorien dem Forschungsgegenstand und seinen vielfältigen Perspektiven gerecht werden kann sowie großes Potenzial für Arbeiten in der akteurstheoretischen Journalismusforschung bietet.The theoretical paper focuses on freelancers in local newspapers and their websites. These actors have been relevant in local journalism for decades. However, they have received little attention in journalism studies so far. The article provides approaches for a readjustment of journalism research in two respects: Firstly, it chooses a definition of freelancers in journalism that goes beyond existing professional studies. Secondly, the paper presents a new theoretical model that combines the theories of actor-structure dynamics and structuration in detail. The article focuses on exemplary research questions concerning freelancers in local journalism. It argues that only a combination of both theories can include the object of research in its diverse perspectives. It also offers potential for actor-centred studies in journalism research

The More Competent, the More Critical?

In the context of misinformation and inaccuracies in reporting, the knowledge and understanding of news production processes and conditions are crucial for news users’ perceptions of news content. However, research on the users’ perception of errors in news and the influence of corrections and individual factors is scarce. In two online experiments, we investigated the influence of corrections, newspaper type, and news media literacy on users’ perceptions of error severity and frequency. Corrections decreased the perceived severity of errors in both studies. News media literacy increased the perceived severity of errors in political news (Study 1) but not in sports news (Study 2). Further, news-literate users perceived errors in political news as more frequent. Newspaper type did not influence user perceptions. These results support the need for transparency and the importance of user characteristics – especially news media literacy – when studying perceptions of journalistic products

Strategien massenmedialer Gesundheitskommunikation in der Primävention

Baumann E, Möhring W. Strategien massenmedialer Gesundheitskommunikation in der Primävention. prävention. Zeitschrift für Gesundheitsförderung. 2005;28(4):101-104

Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Negotiating ethics and method in communication research practice

Good research practice faces both ethical and methodological challenges that cannot always be met at the same time. The paper systematically relates research ethics to methodological issues discussing potential dilemmas. It sheds light on predicaments regarding every step of the standardized research process from study design to population and sampling, recruiting and refusal conversion, data collection and analysis as well as publication. We aim at increasing awareness of these dilemmas and encouraging scientific debate about possible solutions. We propose to make use of the rhetorical, case-based approach to research by McKee and Porter (2009) to meet this aim

Boosting Plastics’ Image? Communicative Challenges of Innovative Bioplastics

Image-boost versus green washing – are bioplastics able to overcome the negative image and drawbacks associated with petroleumbased plastics? Qualitative research through focus groups reveal a skeptical consumer perception on topics related to bioplastics such as land use and genetic engineering as well as a general lack of knowledge about bioplastics