Journalism theory

Abstract

Journalism studies is a multidisciplinary field of academic inquiry. As such, it employs theory from a wide range of academic disciplines and traditions, and – as its object of study changes – is in constant search of new ways of understanding what journalism is. This chapter aims at unmasking what journalism studies is through the ways in which it makes use of, and partly develops, theory. The chapter is based on three observations, which are all stated in the two first sentences above: Journalism studies is multidisciplinary, it is a field, and it employs new theory when its object of study changes. These observations require an initial discussion, in order for them not to be just taken-for-granted assumptions.