Media oracles
- 29 June 2007
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journalism
- Vol. 8 (3), 309-321
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884907076464
Abstract
As noted by Jaworski et al. (2003a, 2003b, 2004), a significant amount of news items refer to future events. This article examines the `discourse of the future' in order to identify its extent and different types. The research examined headlines in Israeli newspapers over a period of 18 years (1985—2003) and found that approximately 70 percent of the main headlines deal not only with past events but with future ones as well. Thus, contrary to the conventional perception of journalism, this type of journalism does not report what has already happened, but speculates on future events, whether directly or by quoting military or political figures. The qualitative analysis suggests four types of discourse of the future: Predictable Future, Informed Assessment, Speculative Assessment, and Conjectured Future. During the last two decades, we can witness a gradual rise of speculation levels. `The discourse of the future' carries cultural significance and political import. From the cultural standpoint, journalists encourage us to raise questions regarding the future of the community: What will happen next? Where do we go from here, in the short, medium and long term? What are our hopes? What do we fear most? Nevertheless, in the highest levels of speculation, such discourse bears political import because it provides fertile ground for releasing trial balloons, magnifying threats, creating solidarity, and justifying acts of government.Keywords
This publication has 19 references indexed in Scilit:
- Between the nation and the profession: journalists as members of contradicting communitiesMedia, Culture & Society, 2005
- Radio LeaksJournalism, 2004
- READING THE FUTURECultural Studies, 2003
- Certainty and speculation in news reporting of the future: the execution of Timothy McVeighDiscourse Studies, 2003
- Beyond ModernismNew Media & Society, 2001
- American Journalism and the Decline in Event-Centered ReportingJournal of Communication, 1997
- Journalism as Storytelling, Coverage as NarrativeAmerican Behavioral Scientist, 1989
- Media Discourse and Public Opinion on Nuclear Power: A Constructionist ApproachAmerican Journal of Sociology, 1989
- The Rise and Fall of Social Problems: A Public Arenas ModelAmerican Journal of Sociology, 1988
- The Garrison StateAmerican Journal of Sociology, 1941