The Times They are A-changin’. The Digital Transformation of ‘Classic’ Counter-Public Spheres Cover Image

The Times They are A-changin’. The Digital Transformation of ‘Classic’ Counter-Public Spheres
The Times They are A-changin’. The Digital Transformation of ‘Classic’ Counter-Public Spheres

Author(s): Jeffrey Wimmer
Subject(s): Media studies, Social development, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: Fakultet političkih nauka Univerziteta u Beogradu
Keywords: counter-public spheres; activism; movements; public sphere; digital media;

Summary/Abstract: Through digitalization the operating conditions of activists have radically changed. Against this background, a theoretical framework is provided to serve as a basis for a deeper understanding and empirical analysis of this structural change of counter-public spheres: On the social macro-level alternative media with a broader and in principle disperse audience, on the organizational meso-level collective mobilizations, which can grasped as participatory public spheres, and on a individual micro-level myriad forms and manifestations of media activism. In an over-saturated media environment (net) campaigning constitutes more and more the essential communicative connection between counter-public spheres and their internal as well as external audiences, thus establishing a successful issue-orientated network. A synopsis of literature shows, that the process of digitalisation and emergence of campaigning has not only amplifying but also unintended negative effects for the production, representation and appropriation of counter-publicity.

  • Issue Year: 7/2012
  • Issue No: 23
  • Page Range: 5-22
  • Page Count: 18
  • Language: English
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