Power of Scandal

Semiotic and Pragmatic in Mass Media

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Theory, Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Religion & Spirituality
Cover of the book Power of Scandal by P. Johannes  Ehrat, SJ, University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
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Author: P. Johannes Ehrat, SJ ISBN: 9781442661684
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division Publication: March 5, 2011
Imprint: Language: English
Author: P. Johannes Ehrat, SJ
ISBN: 9781442661684
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Publication: March 5, 2011
Imprint:
Language: English

Are there events that are inherently scandalous? Power of Scandal finds that the very idea of 'scandal' is derived not from an event, but from public opinion - which, in turn, is construed by media narratives. Scandal is powerful because of its ability to challenge institutions by destabilizing their legitimacy. The media plays an integral role in the creation of scandal because it interprets real events as purposeful actions for the public. Examining the ubiquity of scandals in today's mass media, Johannes Ehrat's conclusions are fresh and surprising.

Ehrat applies classic semiotic and pragmatic thought to contemporary media issues, mainly moralist discourse from sex abuse cases to the phenomenon of televangelism. Arguing that sociological and communications studies of scandal have ignored the media's constructed nature, Ehrat focuses on how meaningful public narrative is produced. By examining the parallel worlds of media and public opinion, Power of Scandal uses an alternative heuristic for understanding mass communication that is both rigorous and sophisticated.

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Are there events that are inherently scandalous? Power of Scandal finds that the very idea of 'scandal' is derived not from an event, but from public opinion - which, in turn, is construed by media narratives. Scandal is powerful because of its ability to challenge institutions by destabilizing their legitimacy. The media plays an integral role in the creation of scandal because it interprets real events as purposeful actions for the public. Examining the ubiquity of scandals in today's mass media, Johannes Ehrat's conclusions are fresh and surprising.

Ehrat applies classic semiotic and pragmatic thought to contemporary media issues, mainly moralist discourse from sex abuse cases to the phenomenon of televangelism. Arguing that sociological and communications studies of scandal have ignored the media's constructed nature, Ehrat focuses on how meaningful public narrative is produced. By examining the parallel worlds of media and public opinion, Power of Scandal uses an alternative heuristic for understanding mass communication that is both rigorous and sophisticated.

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