Abstract
The July 2021 issue of the Journal of Communication Inquiry starts with an article about the differences between distinct formats of alternative media in establishing their credibility and ends with a thorough book review about alternative media and their significance in today’s world. In other articles published in this issue, television programs in the mid-20th and their importance in shaping the cultural memory of audiences are discussed, cartoons published during the Arab Spring are analyzed, and strategic political communication is argued to be more about performance than politics in the contemporary era.
Atkinson, Ingman, Pierandozzi, and Stump examine how two forms of alternative media establish their credibility for audiences. These researchers analyze a traditional alternative media site and an alternative media program embedded in a mainstream channel. The results show that while the host of the traditional alternative media site engages in mainstream news mimicry, the host of the alternative media program relies on the credibility of the channel. This research shows how different alternative media follow different approaches to back up their claims.
Hutchison argues that local entertainment television during the mid-20th century offers valuable insights into the relationship between media technology and cultural memory. By using the phenomenological perspective, Hutchison shows how audiences valued those programs and how their experiences with them shaped their perceptions and memories of mid-20th century American life.
Flores Borjabad and Ruiz del Olmo examine political cartoons on Facebook by three artists during the Arab Spring. The results show that these cartoons with different styles pursued the goals of irritating the established regimes and encouraging people to fight. Adding to the importance of social media and particularly Facebook during the Arab Spring, this research indicates how different cartoonists used this venue to raise their criticisms against the status quo and mobilize people.
Hoffjann argues that strategic political communication is increasingly becoming a play with entertainment characters whose performance is more important than the binding nature of communication. This research shows how politics have become a play and politicians as players. To this end, strategic political communication should serve these players to play their best performance. This perspective about strategic political communication is of great importance, especially in a time that post-truth movements and politicians are rising around the world.
Demont-Heinrich, in his review, praises the book “Alternative Media Meets Mainstream Politics: Activist Nation Rising” as a historically and theoretically grounded volume with up-to-date scholarship about alternative media studies. This review is a detailed description of the book and its chapters, accompanied by great insights from the reviewer.
Finally, I would like to thank the authors, reviewers, editorial board, advisory board, and SAGE publishing for their work in making this issue possible. I would especially like to thank the authors and reviewers who diligently worked on their manuscripts and patiently cooperated with us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.