The transformation of normative approaches to journalism in Croatian academic literature from socialism to post-socialism

In: Politička misao: croatian political science review = Political thought, Volume 58, Issue 2, p. 7-32

Abstract

This paper shows changes in the normative expectations of journalism through‎ an analysis of articles published in Croatian scientific journals about journalism‎ in three time periods: socialism, the transition period, and the period of‎ democratic consolidation. Using qualitative content analysis we identify a‎ total of fifteen themes related to journalism (journalistic norms, regulation,‎ sensationalism, investigative journalism, journalism and PR, organizational‎ aspects, war reporting, technological aspects, gender and journalism, media‎ freedom, democratic aspects, economic aspects, journalism education, the‎ function of journalism in a political system, and the history of journalism) and‎ nine normative roles for journalists ( gatekeeper, social-political worker, public‎ sphere promoter, watchdog, commercial role, emancipatory role, neutral‎ disseminator, advocacy role, defender of democracy). We used quantitative‎ content analysis to analyze the distribution of themes and roles. The results‎ show no unambiguous perception of journalism in academic papers during the‎ different time periods as is generally assumed in the literature on ‎media democratization and the media in transitional countries in general.