The general purpose of the research conducted at the Centre of Power, Media and Communication is to explore the dynamics of media power in Denmark.

Media and power
Media of all types and mediated messages are integrated in every context of society. A potential consequence of this mediatisation is that, for example different forms of power exercised by and through the media, become increasingly important to the individual citizen and consumer, to the relationship between groups in society and public interests and to the development in society.

Media and politics
The importance of the media to the power relations in society is growing since an increasing number of subject areas and types of players in society are related to politics because they are subject to political argumentation or because the players themselves use political argumentation in relation to the media. A wide range of areas in the everyday lives of citizens are examples of that. Research conducted thus indicates that the media is extending its power to put items on the agenda as well as to influence the linguification and communication of such items, including who are to be considered political players.

Inclusion of media users increasing
The growing importance of the media to the exercise of power in society is also related to media development in itself which tends to increasingly involve the media users through interactive, participatory and mobile media types. Research conducted indicates that the boundary between production and media use is gradually dissolving which raises the question: who exercises which type of media power and how?

Research in Power, Media and Communication builds on a multi-dimensional understanding of media power and connects three interrelated dimensions of media power:

1.      Production of media representations
2.      Contents of media representations
3.      Use of media representations

Danish research in this field has not previously incorporated these three dimensions together, and empirical studies in a Danish context are therefore highly needed.

Empirical research in Power, Media and Communication specifically comprises two types of research:

Firstly, we analyse media power through a large number of common sets of data within two types of media representations, namely news and campaigns. In respect of news, several common sets of data were already produced across all media in week 46 of 2012, such as surveys of citizens, journalists and politicians and registration of news media contents. In respect of campaigns, the first common data set of campaign media content will be initiated summer 2013, and a common data set on campaign use, based on a qualitative research design will be initiated during fall 2013.

Secondly, we produce a number of empirical projects within special areas of analysis reflecting the expertise of participating researchers in relation to media power. For example, a project on media power has been planned in relation to the 2013 local elections.

Research in Power, Media and Communication maps out and critically analyses how power over, power of and power through the media contribute to influencing the conditions for how various parts of society work – the civil society, state and market – and therefore also helps comment on the implications for society in terms of, for example, imbalances between power over, power of and power through the media.

This research is naturally also associated with other relevant research projects and networks, which the participating researchers form part of.