Mediatization

The subtle (or not so subtle) messages presented by the media influence all those who watch. Viewers simply cannot wait to buy the latest and greatest, and they must have it now. It is not hard to recognise this happening, yet often people allow themselves to give in.

Have you ever thought about the way the media is influencing our cultural practices and beliefs? Hjarvard (2008) identifies that the "mediatization of religion" is part of the "process in which the media have taken over many of the social functions" (p. 10). Would you be as passive if you knew that even our methods of mourning were being influenced by the media?

In fact, Hjarvard (2008) recognises that the media are not only covering religious issues but, through the coverage of different religious topics and organizations, are indeed altering peoples' perceptions of what religion is. When thinking about my own interaction with religion in the media I can recognise the impact that the media has had on my views of particular religious organisations, just the same way as the media can be accused of influencing views of different racial groups.



Meyer (2012) states however that media has always been entwined with religion. When considering sensational forms, Meyer (2012) highlights that different media forms (such as text, visual, auditory - The Bible is one example) are used by different religious groups to evoke a connection to the transcendental and that such sensation forms have been adapted in the past.


Meyer (2012) continues this by stating that "the adoption of modern media allows for the reformation and reactivation of religion in our time" (p. 165). This view is supported by Hjarvard (2008) who recognises that popular culture has a large influence on religion. With internet access readily available, religious topics and views can easily be shared, discussed and debated (Hjarvard, 2008). This global, consumer oriented environment opens the doors for symbols and messages to be transported to an increasingly diverse audience leading to the formation of new religious movements (NRM) (Hjarvard, 2008).

NRM are becoming increasingly common with such movements oriented towards the consumer (Hjarvard, 2008). As such, NRM become a "source of identity and meaningfulness" in a world where individuals are searching for a purpose in life (Hjarvard, 2008). This need comes about as a "shared religious style" offers a stable platform on which to view the world and participate in society (Meyer, 2012). These NRM are considered by Hjarvard (2008) to be Banal religious representations where "both individual faith and collective religious imagination are created and maintained by a series of experiences and representations" (pg. 15). This allows for religious meaning to be made outside of institutionalised religious representations and may just allow for the re-enchantment of the modern world (Hjarvard, 2008).


The mediatization of religion has brought about many changes to religious practices. From facilitating easier access to sacred texts, to influencing our perceptions of what it means to be religious, to promoting NRM the reflect our popular culture (Hjarvard, 2008). The effects of mediatization are occurring continuously and will continue to shift our understandings of religion (Meyer, 2012).



References

Hjarvard, S. 2008. The mediatization of religion: A theory of the media as agents of religious change. Northern Lights, 6(1).

Meyer, B. 2012. Religious sensations: Media, aesthetics, and the study of contemporary religion. In Lynch G. and J. Mitchell with A. Strahan (Eds.), Religion, Media and Culture: A Reader. 159 - 170. London and New York: Routledge.



Image Source

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Book [Image]. (2013). Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/book-historically-antiquarian-old-92571/

System Network [Image]. (2012). Retrieved from http://pixabay.com/en/system-network-news-personal-71228/