Abstract
This master thesis seeks to assess how journalistic media mirror important features related to the Information Society. Many theories are devoted to explore the impact a changing technological environment has on journalism in terms of working routines and distribution channels. Few, however, has focused on how journalistic content mirrors the rapidly changing technological environment in contemporary societies.
The main discussion in this thesis is based on examples of how issues relating to the development -and implementation of the third mobile network (3G) have been covered in newspapers in two different counties, namely Norway and South Africa. Altogether 341 articles, all of which are related to 3G, from eleven different newspapers have been analysed and discussed according to their specific contextual environment. The main findings can be listed in a threefold conclusion: Firstly, that newspaper coverage of 3G is highly dominated by economical perspectives. Secondly, that the persons, companies and institutions appearing in newspaper reports on 3G are almost exclusively subjects with economical interests in this technology. And thirdly, that newspapers neglect many important aspects when covering issues related to the Information Society and might contribute to reinforce exciting inequalities in contemporary societies.
This master thesis seeks to assess how journalistic media mirror important features related to the Information Society. Many theories are devoted to explore the impact a changing technological environment has on journalism in terms of working routines and distribution channels. Few, however, has focused on how journalistic content mirrors the rapidly changing technological environment in contemporary societies.
The main discussion in this thesis is based on examples of how issues relating to the development -and implementation of the third mobile network (3G) have been covered in newspapers in two different counties, namely Norway and South Africa. Altogether 341 articles, all of which are related to 3G, from eleven different newspapers have been analysed and discussed according to their specific contextual environment. The main findings can be listed in a threefold conclusion: Firstly, that newspaper coverage of 3G is highly dominated by economical perspectives. Secondly, that the persons, companies and institutions appearing in newspaper reports on 3G are almost exclusively subjects with economical interests in this technology. And thirdly, that newspapers neglect many important aspects when covering issues related to the Information Society and might contribute to reinforce exciting inequalities in contemporary societies.