Mediatized participation and forms of media use and multiple meaning making : the Baltic perspective

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Auditorijos įsitraukimas; Baltijos šalys (Baltic states); Dalyvavimas; Jauna auditorija; Jaunimo auditorija; Mediacija; Medijuotas dalyvavimas; Medijų naudojimas; Socialinė integracija; Įsitraukimas; Žiniasklaidos naudojimas; Baltic states; Engagement; Lithuania; Media use; Mediatization; Participation; Social integration; Young audiences.

ENIn this paper all arguments move around the idea that there is a very close interrelationship between the status of being an informed citizen, and public participation, activism and engagement in social life. For that reason, contemporary media are seen not just as separate channels representing ideas and interests of different groups and social divisions of society. While providing news and information, and conveying common values and ideals, any media has potential to gather people with similar interests and to encourage their involvement in public activity. Holding on such normative vision of media’s role for democracy this paper, however, shows that ‘political alienation’ (low political and associational participation, distrust in public institutions, low readership of newspapers and engagement only with entertaining content, and other issues) is among the biggest drawbacks and challenges for young democracies. Based on data from representative public opinion survey on media access and use in Lithuania, the paper further argues that the registered data of public distrust in media and general ‘apoliticism’ may be permanently reinforced by conventional mass media. [From the publication]