Mediekultur

Mediekultur, or media culture, is a concept in media studies that examines how media production, distribution, and consumption shape and are shaped by society. It encompasses the ways in which media content reflects social values and identities, how audiences interpret and participate in media ecosystems, and how institutions—ranging from newsrooms and broadcasters to streaming platforms and social networks—organize access to information and cultural expression. The term covers both traditional media (print, radio, television) and digital platforms, especially given the rise of participatory culture, user-generated content, and algorithmic curation.

Scholars analyze mediekultur across dimensions such as representation, gatekeeping, and power relations; the politics of media policy and regulation; audience practices and media literacy; and the globalization-localization dynamics of media flows. Key concerns include the democratization of access to information, the sustainability and ethics of media production, the impact of platform capitalism on public discourse, and the role of media in politics and identity formation. Research methods include content analysis, discourse analysis, audience studies, and comparative studies. In practice, mediekultur informs debates on media literacy, public service broadcasting, diversity in representation, and regulatory frameworks aimed at preserving pluralism and protecting privacy in a digitally mediated world.