The project provides an empirically grounded and theoretically elaborated view of the role of media in political decision-making and governance. It asks how the decision-makers consider publicity and how it possibly affects their power positions.
The study focuses especially in environmental and labor market politics. Case studies will be conducted on both of these policy areas. In addition to empirical work, the project develops theory and methodology for the research of the relationship between media publicity and decision-making.
Background
By the end of June 2018, the project has published these articles:
Kumpu, Ville (2018) Järki vai särki? Työ ja ympäristö kamppailussa Lievestuoreen sellutehtaasta keväällä 1971 (Reason or the roach? Jobs, environmental protection and the dispute over the Lievestuore pulp mill). Media & Viestintä 41:1, 29-50.
Reunanen, Esa (2017) Kiristystä vai kilpailukykyä? Auktoriteettiperformanssit ja strategiset kertomukset neuvotteluissa "yhteiskuntasopimuksesta". (Blackmail of competitiveness? Authority performances and strategic narratives in the negotiations of "social contract"). Politiikka 59:2, 96-113.
Kunelius, Risto & Reunanen, Esa (2016) Changing Power of Journalism: The Two Phases of Mediatization. Communication Theory 26:4, 369-388.
Goal
Clarification of the ways in which the changing media landscape conditions the social and the political is essential for understanding how different forms of social experience and knowledge can interact fruitfully. It is also needed to dismantle simplistic narratives about the power of the media.
Funding source
Academy of Finland
Contact persons
Risto Kunelius
Professor
risto.kunelius [at] uta.fi
+358 40 190 4085
Esa Reunanen
Senior Researcher
esa.reunanen [at] uta.fi
+358 50 318 5943