Sociality of Journalism and Mass Media:Methodological Approaches

The role of journalism and the media in forming the world of everyday life has been viewed as a key one for quite a long period of human history. Moreover, in the context of digitalization and mediatization of every social reality, it is becoming even more important. The integrative nature of the modern media provides for an environment where interaction between journalism, the media and their audiences has a crucial impact on all social phenomena, on the life of every person and of the society in general. The article states that, in the context of media digitalization, the world of everyday life is intensively mediatized and undergoes radical changes, which makes it a relevant object of media studies. The authors emphasize the great significance of the media in social construction processes that are based on fast information exchange and the synchronous dynamics of events in the world of everyday life. They also underline the relevance of studying both journalism and media processes as integral parts the world of everyday life, which features continuous variability of social realities and their newsworthiness. In today’s society, contradictions between the opportunities offered by digitalization and mediatization of social realities on the one hand, and the limited practical usage of these opportunities on the other, are aggravating. Therefore, it is necessary to reassess the functions of journalism in optimizing the world of everyday life, and correlate the renewed understanding of these functions to that of journalists as key agents that provide informational support and coverage of all social processes.

The Role of Journalism in Mediatization of the World of Everyday Life

Смирнова

Svitich

Шкондин

2020

Priorities in Protecting the Informational and Cultural Space:a Historical-Geopolitical Interpretation

Shalak

2021

Being a hallmark of the current epoch, the constant growth of the civilizational consciousness manifests itself in large-scale societies’ urge to protect their historical roots, language and traditional values. This explains the topicality of the problem stated by the author. From the position of the historical-geopolitical approach, the key element in providing national security is control over the country’s infosphere. The content of activities in Russian information ecosystem should be determined by the necessity to protect the cultural core of the Russian civilization and preserve the national identity. Such strategy will be able to provide for a sovereign policy concerning the language and culture, and become the basis for determining the aims and the content of mass media's activities. Retrospective understanding of the historical background helps to formulate the key forms of civilizational control to build up the axiological identity of Russian society. Since external influence on the norms and vocabulary of the language is always aimed at undermining the basis of a civilization, it is vitally important to exercise control by preserving the traditional language and broadening the areal of its usage. It is also crucial to preserve the historical memory and prevent history rewriting and imposing false historic symbols. Besides, formation of civil identity of Russian people based on common values and ethical and religious roots requires pragmatic support of Оrthodox Christianity. The country’s academia is the most important agent of implementing this strategy.

Motivation to Use Media and Communication Channels by Russian Students

Дунас

Толоконникова

Gureeva

et al. 2021

The paper presents the results of data collected through a survey of students in three Russian cities (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Rostov-on-Don) on the subject of media communication channels and motives for using them. The study examined the media consumption of Russian students, specifically, the use of traditional media, Internet, television, radio, as well as newspapers, and magazines. The data was obtained, systematized and interpreted. The study explored the reasons why young people refuse to watch television, listen to the radio, and read printed newspapers and magazines. We analyzed patterns and motives of Russian students’ use of social media and messengers. The study collected data on key smart phone applications used by Russian students, their main uses, and the role of smart phones in the lives of Russian digital natives. We focused on the issue of media credibility among young people. Based on the data obtained, a cluster analysis was carried out, which made it possible to identify 6 main clusters of media consumers with a clear predominance of one – those who use web sites and instant messengers as the main source of information and communication with a high level of trust in them. This type of media consumer is distinguished by the lack of use of TV as a source of information, print media, and low trust in radio. This empirical research is guided by the theoretical context of mediatization as a process and condition inherent in modern society and by the description of digital media culture as the dominant environment for socialization and self-actualization of representatives of generation Z.