Laurie Ouellette, Citizenship. Keywords for Media Studies (dragged)

The Relationship Between Media and Citizenship

• The interplay between media and citizenship is complex and constantly evolving.

• Concerns exist about the negative impact of commercial media on democracy, focusing on how it promotes triviality, consumer values, and emotional responses that hinder political participation.

• Media can also be seen as "citizen machines" that shape public life positively (McCarthy, 2010).

• The need to reevaluate citizenship arises from the proliferation and globalization of media, leading to new cultural studies frameworks.

Defining Citizenship

• Citizenship traditionally refers to belonging to a political body, with rights and duties (Latin word "civitas").

• Citizenship has evolved with the rise of nation-states and "imagined communities" (Anderson, 1991).

• The commercial printing press played a pivotal role in creating national identities through standardizing discourse and encouraging shared recognition of commonalities.

• Early democracies like the United States experimented with direct political participation but faced mediation through representation.

Citizens and Modern Democracy

• National citizenship involves mediation through representatives and the dissemination of resources to foster participation.

• Mass media (newspapers, magazine, radio) was integral to mass democracy but also raised concerns about its distracting effects.

• Social critics like Walter Lippmann viewed popular media as potentially detrimental to informed public participation (Public Opinion, 1922).

• Mass communication research proposed the "two-step flow" theory, emphasizing the role of opinion leaders in the political process, reflecting nostalgia for print culture.

• The ideal of the rational citizen is critiqued for marginalizing diverse voices and excluding lower socio-economic and racial groups from public discourse.

Public Sphere Theory

• The public sphere, defined by Jürgen Habermas (1989), is a space for rational debate independent of state and market influence.

• The concept of public spaces such as eighteenth-century coffee houses reflects historical exclusivity regarding gender, class, and race.

• Feminist and critical race scholars highlight the exclusion of marginalized groups from traditional public spheres.

Shifting Definitions of Citizenship

• Media scholars have begun to question traditional definitions of political citizenship since the 1990s, connecting citizenship to broader consumer culture.

• Toby Miller asserts that the demands of consumer and political spheres create feelings of inadequacy among citizens.

• Jeffrey Jones argues that popular media can enhance political engagement, challenging established notions of quality versus entertainment.

• Liesbet Van Zoonen suggests the blending of politics and entertainment could rejuvenate democratic citizenship.

Citizen Representation in Media

• The evolution of daytime talk shows offers a unique lens to explore citizenship, bringing personal issues into the political realm (Josh Gamson, 1999).

• These formats allowed for the voices of marginalized groups to emerge within commercial media while challenging traditional notions of decorum and participation.

Global Perspectives on Citizenship

• Globalization complicates national identity and citizenship, leading to the formation of "sphericules" (Stuart Cunningham, 1991).

• Lynn Spigel discusses the declining relevance of nationalism due to the influence of late capitalist media practices.

• Néstor García-Canclini (2001) describes a shift toward consumer-based national connections, with brand communities becoming significant in defining citizenship.

Consumer Citizenship

• Sarah Banet-Weiser notes the fusion of citizenship with consumer identity, emphasizing participation within brand communities.

• Media corporations now incorporate corporate social responsibility into their branding, blurring lines between citizenship, governance, and consumer culture.

Reality TV and Neoliberal Citizenship

• Reality TV reflects neoliberal citizenship ideals by tying personal responsibility and market-oriented identities to citizenship.

• It emerged alongside privatization trends in the early 2000s, showcasing the influence of market logic on citizenship narratives.

• Media's role in shaping ideals of responsibility and success is noteworthy in the context of neoliberal shifts.

Digital Media and Contemporary Citizenship

• The growth of social media has sparked debates on media's impact on citizenship.

• Critics argue that new forms of engagement can distract from substantive political participation.

• Conversely, some scholars advocate for the potential of new media to redefine public spheres and catalyze political engagement.
  - Recent movements highlight the instrumental role of digital platforms in organizing political action globally.