Threats to Public Debate - Fragmentation and Mythologization of Journalist Information

Jacek Wasilewski, Jakub Kloc-Konkołowicz

A starting point to the discussion on the threats to public debate is a delineation of the .ideal type. of such debate. The article bases on the model created by Jurgen Habermas in his classic, by now, writings. Among many others, the authors focus on two predominant threats to debate, regardless of people.s intentions but more so depending on the conditions in which the medium operates and its character: mythologization and fragmentation. Mythologization results in us dealing with a free flow of information and opinions but with a closed cognitive structure. Fragmentation of media transmission disturbs the full and complete access to information and intersubjective verification of theories and justifications. Through the effect of media fragmentation, especially TV, we obtain many inconsistent and non-polemic discourses based on separate, often mythological takes. Suitable key words can also serve as mythological information releases. Causes of mythologization of journalist information are tied to the marketization of news information which results in entertainment emotionality. The article attempts to provide an answer as to the results of information mosaic bonded during reception by mythical metanarration on the state of public debate in comparison to the ideal type.

KEYWORDS

public debate