<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Digitization, new entrants and the disruption of business models prompt concern about the media’s societal mission. The article investigates how media managers conceptualize societal responsibility in an era of turmoil. Based on 20 semi-structured interviews with executive managers of private media companies in Norway and Flanders, the study reveals important differences in the definition of the public interest. While Flemish media managers emphasize brand value, Norwegian managers emphasize societal values, such as educating the public. When comparing managers of traditional and newer companies, a third, more straightforward market logic is also elicited, illuminating the vulnerability of traditional values.</p>
</abstract>

Digitization, new entrants and the disruption of business models prompt concern about the media’s societal mission. The article investigates how media managers conceptualize societal responsibility in an era of turmoil. Based on 20 semi-structured interviews with executive managers of private media companies in Norway and Flanders, the study reveals important differences in the definition of the public interest. While Flemish media managers emphasize brand value, Norwegian managers emphasize societal values, such as educating the public. When comparing managers of traditional and newer companies, a third, more straightforward market logic is also elicited, illuminating the vulnerability of traditional values.

Media disruption and the public interest

Nordic Journal of Media Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

How private media managers talk about responsibility to society in an era of turmoil

Digitization, new entrants and the disruption of business models prompt concern about the media’s societal mission. The article investigates how media managers...

Media disruption and the public interest

Published Online: Jun 26, 2019

Page range: 11 - 28

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/njms-2019-0002

Keywords
private media, public interest, media managers, media welfare state, disruption

© 2019 Syvertsen, T., Donders, K., Enli, G. & Raats, T., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Media disruption and the public interest

Published Online: Jun 26, 2019

Page range: 11 - 28

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/njms-2019-0002

Keywordsprivate media, public interest, media managers, media welfare state, disruption

© 2019 Syvertsen, T., Donders, K., Enli, G. & Raats, T., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
private media, public interest, media managers, media welfare state, disruption