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Is journalism studies a sub-domain of communication studies, adistinct discipline, a multidisciplinary merger or a transdisciplinary endeavour? This question is discussed by analyzing the 2008 and2009 volumes of seven academic journals focusing on journalismresearch. The sample includes 349 articles published in BrazilianJournalism Research, Ecquid Novi, Journalism & CommunicationMonographs, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, PacificJournalism Review, Journalism Studies, or Journalism: Theory,Practice and Criticism. Overall, the findings reveal that journalismresearch mainly applies theoretical approaches and empiricalmethods deriving from other disciplines, particularly sociology, psychology or cultural studies. In many countries, however, journalism studies has reached a comparatively high level of institutionalization indicated by the large number of specific schools, professorships, professional associations and respective academic journals. In conclusion, we argue that journalism studies is a sub-domain of communication studies, which integrates andtranscends various disciplines aiming to become one of the axialsubjects of the 21st century.

Is journalism studies a sub-domain of communication studies, adistinct discipline, a multidisciplinary merger or a transdisciplinary endeavour? This question is discussed by analyzing the 2008 and2009 volumes of seven academic journals focusing on journalismresearch. The sample includes 349 articles published in BrazilianJournalism Research, Ecquid Novi, Journalism & CommunicationMonographs, Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, PacificJournalism Review, Journalism Studies, or Journalism: Theory,Practice and Criticism. Overall, the findings reveal that journalismresearch mainly applies theoretical approaches and empiricalmethods deriving from other disciplines, particularly sociology, psychology or cultural studies. In many countries, however, journalism studies has reached a comparatively high level of institutionalization indicated by the large number of specific schools, professorships, professional associations and respective academic journals. In conclusion, we argue that journalism studies is a sub-domain of communication studies, which integrates andtranscends various disciplines aiming to become one of the axialsubjects of the 21st century.

The backgroundThe idea was intriguing: there was so much academic work on journalism, along with a multitude of books and articles, and the number of scholars in the field was constantly growing. But the International Communication Association (ICA), one of the world's largest organizations of academics in the field of communication, had no journalism section. This held true until May 2004, when a group of scholars concerned with the study of journalism proposed the creation of a Journalism Studies Interest Group at the ICA during the association's annual conference in New Orleans. It was amazing to see how fast this initiative evolved. After all, it took only four months from the initial idea to institutionalization, and this came as a surprise even for those who started this movement.To establish a new section in ICA, one has to find at least 30 member colleagues who are willing to sign a petition. Therefore, we screened the ICA online membership directory for potential petitioners who had devoted a great deal of research to the study of journalism. Our first call, sent out by e-mail by the end of February 2004, met with an overwhelming response from all over the globe. We approached 50 colleagues; 31 responded during the first six hours! All of them were supportive and not a single one opposed the initiative. Many of them said that the establishment of a journalism section at ICA was a 'long overdue' (H. Stocking 1 ) and 'timely move' (J. M. Chan 2 ). Some seemed Journalism

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