Mutual Transformations of the Essence and Accidents of Journalism in the Information and Media Culture of Society

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the transformations taking place in journalism and media as elements of information and media culture; the meaning and role of these transformations in social life, as well as influence of the digital revolution. The authors carried out a philosophical reflection on the changes taking place in journalism using the philosophical concepts of “essence” and “accidents”. These concepts allow, firstly, to single out the essential properties and functions of the analyzed phenomena, to separate them from non-essential and secondary ones, and secondly, to explicate the factors that contribute to the mutual transition of essential and accidental properties, the change in their dominant status and the acquisition of new mass communicative properties and meanings, which entails the transition of journalism into “pseudo-journalism”, “quasi-journalism”, “post-journalism”, and “ersatz-journalism”. The study identified the directions of non-classical journalism, popular in the media sphere: “journalism of decisions”, “constructive journalism”, “service journalism”, “civil journalism”. We analyzed the arguments of researchers and practitioners in favor of the statements of these areas as new models of journalism. The authors argue, firstly, that these directions not only transfer accidental properties to the essential core of journalism, but also displace or transform many of its essential properties and functions. Secondly, it is noted that in parallel with this, opposite trends are observed in the media sphere: the invariance of the basic properties, principles and functions of journalism is substantiated in theoretical studies, and new forms based on these principles are observed in media practices.