A Network Paradigm of Communication Research

Abstract

Our contemporary media and communication media ecology is a highly networked one where users and producers of information create give rise to diverse flows of communication. It is a media ecology is distinct from that of the mass media age where a small number of large media outlets disseminated one-way flow of messages to mass audiences. This conceptual article discusses the notion of a networked media ecology and explores ‘network paradigm’ as a research framework as proposed by Manuel Castells and Gustav Cardoso. Drawing upon the historical development of networks as a organizing framework in the field of media and journalism, the papers argues for the relevance of a network paradigm in discussing contemporary global user-driven news ecologies. Finally, the paper looks at how a network paradigm can be used to discuss agenda-setting structures in contemporary news ecologies.