Contributions from journalism studies

In 2004, our search for work on culture, communication and technology failed to discover any relevant publications in the subfield of journalism studies. Now in 2025, it has become apparent that journalism studies is a more recent and valuable contributor to this interdisciplinary field. Work from this area explores how journalistic practices are shaped by and, in turn, influence cultural values, the evolving nature of news dissemination, and the impact of digital platforms. We located nine relatively recent papers that offer analyses of news cultures, communication flows, and the transformative informative influence of digital technologies (Bielsa, 2016; Brantner & Herczeg, 2013; Godler & Reich, 2017; Herold, 2011; Leggett & King-Reilly, 2020; Mulinge, 2022; Podkalicka, 2011; Vujović & Obradović, 2017; Zhong & Newhagen, 2009).

First, work in this field has significantly advanced the concept of ‘news cultures,’ focussing on how journalists across different contexts conceive of facts, knowledge, and the societal values embedded within news. Recent scholarship proposes shifting towards the idea of ‘epistemic cultures‘ (Godler & Reich, 2017) to better analyze how journalism constructs and validates knowledge, especially in the context of factual controversies. After all, journalists play a central role in shaping cultural narratives by defining notions of self and society within news content (Zhong & Newhagen, 2009). Their framing of stories often reflects and reinforces societal values–such as peace, tolerance, and social coexistence–demonstrating journalism’s influence on public understanding of politics and collective identity (Brantner & Herczeg, 2013). Comparative analyses of news content reveal both the diversity and convergence of cultural values across different national and transcultural media contexts.

Research in journalism studies has also illuminated the quantitative imbalances in global news and entertainment flows, with industrialized Western nations typically exporting more media content than developing regions. This uneven distribution contributes to the homogenization of media culture, often privileging Western perspectives. Print media, now widely accessible in digital forms, further accelerates this process by circulating dominant cultural narratives on a global scale (Godler & Reich, 2017; Mulinge, 2022). Journalism studies emphasize the media’s function as a site for constructing social meaning, whether anchored in local, national, or deterritorialized cultural contexts. Especially in transcultural ethnic media, young journalists are attentive to the integrative potential of journalism, seeking to foster societal cohesion and dialogue across diverse communities (Brantner & Herczeg, 2013).

In parallel, emerging digital technologies are also shaping journalistic culture and practices, introducing new models of content creation and audience engagement. Journalism studies chart this evolution, documenting the coexistence of centralized, traditional news production with user-generated content and interactive, participatory media forms. The expansion of digital platforms has not only broadened the reach of journalistic content but also contributed to new dynamics of cultural exchange and participation (Podkalicka, 2011).

We observe, then, that journalism studies is now making an essential contribution to the study of culture and communication, providing critical tools for understanding how news production, content, and technologies shape cultural identities, global media flows, and the everyday experiences of audiences. By foregrounding both the power and the challenges of journalism in a digital, interconnected world, this field continues to offer invaluable insights for researchers investigating the intersections of media, culture, and technology.