Medya, Habercilik Alanı ve Sosyal Sermaye İlişkisi: Tocqueville, Putnam ve Bourdieu Bağlamında Kuramsal Bir İnceleme
Media, Journalism Field and Social Capital Relationship: A Theoretical Analysis in the Context of Tocqueville, Putnam and Bourdieu

Author(s): Ahmet Biçer, Mustafa Koçer
Subject(s): Media studies, Communication studies, Sociology, Politics and communication, Theory of Communication
Published by: Özgür Yayın Dağıtım Ltd. Şti.
Keywords: Media; Journalism Field; Social Capital Relationship;
Summary/Abstract: Media and the field of journalism are dynamically interconnected with other social structures and actors from a sociological perspective. It is possible to address this relationship at the macro or micro levels from the perspective of the social capital approach. Social capital has social implications as potential resources embedded within actors' communication networks, serving as a cohesive element that holds society together, such as individual trust levels. Regardless of the perspective from which it is taken, the social capital approach has a direct and reciprocal relationship with the fields of communication, media and journalism. Important theorists examine these relationships. The study aims to reveal the connection points between the field of media and journalism and the social capital approach on the axis of the evaluations of Tocqueville, Putnam and Bourdieu. Firstly, the topic is approached in the context of Tocqueville's evaluations on the relationship between civil society and the press in his work 'Democracy in America'. Then, Robert Putnam's perspective in line with the work of communication theorist George Gerbner, especially in the context of television viewership and its effects on social capital, was analyzed. Thirdly, an association was made between Pierre Bourdieu's idea of 'journalism and the media field' and his unique capital approach. The following conclusions were reached within the framework of the views of the three theorists: 1) The media can contribute to social capital by enabling civil and political components of society to dialog. 2) Media and journalism production practices affect social capital to the extent of their determining influence on people's perceptions. 3) The fact that media viewing is one of the most important leisure time activities leads to changes in civic and political participation. 4) Actors/perpetrators working in the media benefit from their social capital in their productive activities in the field. 5) Journalist actors/perpetrators perceive social capital within their own sociality and their journalistic perceptions and practices are shaped accordingly.

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