Exploring the Whole Picture: A Contemporary Perspective on Democracy, Societal Change, and Europe`s Information Environments
Exploring the Whole Picture: A Contemporary Perspective on Democracy, Societal Change, and Europe`s Information Environments
Author(s): BEAUFORT MarenSubject(s): Media studies, Civil Society, Governance, Government/Political systems, Politics and communication
Published by: ESSACHESS
Keywords: audience studies; new roles of news media; supply-demand-nexus of information; informed citizen or empowered and networked citizen; notions of democracy as determinants of participation behavior and information use
Summary/Abstract: Contemporary societal transformations are reshaping both the perception and practice of democracy, giving rise to distinct democratic cultures that correspond to different views of how a democratic public sphere should be constituted; accordingly, the roles assigned to information media vary. This article examines how democratic orientations emerge, coexist, and empirically shape political communication environments. Findings suggest that communication is more democratically functional where information supply aligns with citizens’ perspectives, with implications for epistemic integrity, democratic resilience, and the quality of public spheres. Misalignment appears to be associated with news avoidance, declining trust, and structural inequalities, while broader value shifts reshape patterns of polarization. Nuanced, integrated analyses of democratic information ecosystems are essential for supporting a vital and resilient citizenry.
Journal: ESSACHESS - Journal for Communication Studies
- Issue Year: 19/2026
- Issue No: 1(37)
- Page Range: 149-171
- Page Count: 23
- Language: English
