This essay combines theory of power relations and identity construction in mediated participations with a case study. The two theoretical aspects are essential to consider when talking about participation in media because there are different definitions, grades, and perspectives on participation. What might seem like full participation might be restricted and controlled more than is visible to the first glance. On the other hand there might be signs and hints of resistance and usage of the participation platform for one’s own benefit, e.g. by constructing a favourable identity.
Both old and ‘new’(mass) media play an important role in society and with the rise of the so called ‘new media’ interaction, interactivity, and participation of consumers, ‘ordinary’ people, and citizens have become approaches both in business strategies as well as in democratization enhancement visions. In this essay the term ‘participation’ carries a political connotation following Mouffe’s description which defines the “political as a domain of the social, which can emerge in a wide range of social relations […] Moving into the world of trans-politics, this wide range of social relations would arguably include both mediated social relations and social relations within the media system itself.” (quoted in Carpentier 2009b, pp. 4) There exists participation in and through media. The important characteristics of participation through media are the allowance for participation in public debates and self-representation in the public sphere. (Carpentier 2009b, pp. 4) Participation in media addresses the production of media output by non-professionals. There are fewer examples of mainstream media allowing for this kind of participation than alternative media. In the small number of examples an in-depth examination and evaluation of the power relations and existing imbalances needs to be done by the media professionals. (Carpentier 2009b, pp. 4)
The ‘new’ media also eclipsed the already existing participatory potential of the traditional media which leads to three capital errors. As already mentioned, the significance of the traditional media is not taken into account. But they still have a permanent place in the lives of many- be it because of tradition, lacking access to ‘new’ media or because those media types are still central players to create relevance.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Power relations
3. Identity construction
4. Case study
5. Conclusion
6. References
7. Case study references
8. Photo appendix
Objectives & Themes
This essay explores the dynamics of mediated participation by analyzing the Swiss magazine column “Ein Tag im Leben von…” (“A day in the life of…”). It investigates how non-professionals are portrayed, focusing on the tension between ordinary lives and media-constructed narratives, and evaluating the power structures inherent in the editorial and production processes.
- The theoretical frameworks of power relations and identity construction in media.
- The definition and representation of the “ordinary” vs. the “elite” in media products.
- The journalist’s role in framing, editing, and shaping the interviewee’s story.
- Resistance strategies employed by participants within the mediated interview context.
- The role of visual elements (photography) in complementing and influencing narrative meaning.
Excerpt from the Book
4. Case study
Since the ‘everyday’ life of ‘ordinary people’ of Switzerland is what is supposed to be presented by the columns, the two concepts shall be included.
The ‘everyday’ banishes the ‘special’, the ‘extraordinary’ while elites are not part of the ‘ordinary people’. Generally the non-professionals are defined as the ’ordinary people’ since they do not belong to any societal elite like e.g. politicians. (Carpentier 2003, pp. 434) Those poles stand in an antagonistic relationship. (Carpentier 2003, pp. 433) Both concepts are allowing for a wide angle perspective and therefore in the concept of ‘ordinary’ people both popular, sub-, and anti-culture are included. (Carpentier 2003, pp. 434) The word ‘ordinary’ carries meanings like habitual, regular, usual, and normal. Excluded is what ranges beyond the customary. (Sandywell 2004, pp. 162) Central characteristics of being ‘ordinary’ are spontaneity and authencity. The definition of ‘ordinary’ people can be class-based but this is a narrow description that leaves out the fluidity of the term. The distinction is widened by opposing the ’ordinary people’ to an ‘elite’ often referred to as the ‘power bloc’. This brings the power relations into the picture again. (Carpentier 2009a, pp. 601, 606) The positioning of oneself in these fields, different cultures and in relation to them constructs one’s identity. The question then is also which elements of society are excluded. Are undesirable aspects like racism, crime, and xenophobia left out or is a critical picture presented? (Carpentier 2003, pp. 437)
There are several ways to define the ’everyday’. Since it is difficult to capture all the elements, a definition should allow for openness and take the fluidity into consideration. Main aspects might be the repetitive, the un-purposeful, the unnoticed and the routine based. (Carpentier 2009a, pp. 600) It describes the normal flow of things. (Sandywell 2004, pp. 163) The negative definition excludes the exceptional and the sublime. (Carpentier 2009a, pp. 600)
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research focus on power relations and identity construction within mediated participation, specifically using the column “Ein Tag im Leben von…” as a case study.
2. Power relations: Examines how the interaction between media professionals and interviewees creates power imbalances, emphasizing the role of editing and journalistic framing.
3. Identity construction: Discusses how individuals construct personal and collective identities through discourse, roles, and cultural markers within the media sphere.
4. Case study: Provides a detailed analysis of the column “Ein Tag im Leben von…” regarding the selection of subjects, the representation of the “everyday,” and the use of visuals.
5. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings, arguing that media professionals maintain primary power, yet the column remains a significant platform for humanizing diverse perspectives in society.
6. References: Lists the academic sources used to support the theoretical and analytical arguments.
7. Case study references: Provides the source material and bibliographic details of the specific columns evaluated in the study.
8. Photo appendix: Contains illustrative visual examples and commentary on how photographs contribute to the framing of the interviewees.
Keywords
Mediated Participation, Power Relations, Identity Construction, Ordinary People, Media Production, Journalistic Framing, Authenticity, Everyday Life, Switzerland, Media Professional, Interview Society, Social Representation, Resistance, Collective Identity, Media Discourse.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental subject of this work?
The essay explores the concept of "mediated participation" by analyzing how ordinary people are represented in a popular newspaper column and the power dynamics involved in that production.
What are the central themes of the research?
The core themes include power imbalances between journalists and participants, the social construction of personal and national identity, and the media's framing of everyday life.
What is the primary objective of this essay?
The goal is to evaluate if and how non-professionals truly participate in media content creation, or if their voices are heavily managed and framed by professional journalists.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a qualitative case study approach, analyzing 57 columns from the Swiss magazine "Das Magazin" published between 2002 and 2007.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers theoretical frameworks (power, identity), defines key concepts (the "everyday," "ordinary people"), and provides an empirical analysis of specific column examples and visual components.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms like Mediated Participation, Power Relations, Identity Construction, and Media Discourse.
How does the author define the "everyday" in the context of the columns?
The author defines the everyday as the routine-based, repetitive, and unnoticed flow of life, excluding the sublime or strictly extraordinary, though noting the term's inherent fluidity.
What role does the photographer play in the column?
The photographer is identified as a co-producer who often adds a narrative layer to the column, sometimes emphasizing aspects of the subject's life not explicitly covered in the written text.
Does the interviewee have control over the final content?
While interviewees have some editing rights, the author concludes that the final power of selection, framing, and publication rests almost exclusively with the media professionals.
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- Nina Ratavaara (Autor:in), 2009, Mediated Participation in the column “A day in the life of…”, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/178934
