ABSTRACT
This analysis proposes a new approach to understanding political polarization by presenting an explorative research pattern that focuses on the Hungarian media sphere. Given the heavily partisan, increasingly post-objective and highly fragmented nature of the Hungarian media, we provide an issue-centered case study approach to comprehend whether mass communication integrates or divides the society 25 years after the collapse of the communist regime. For an empirical test of polarization, we explore the media networks of one of the most covered issues of the 2014 general election campaign in Hungary. To link one media outlet to another, we concentrate on the interactions, which are defined here as direct and explicit citations or hyperlinks to the content of other media products and communication of politicians. This research supports the claim that there is moderate political polarization in the media sphere. Our findings indicate that the media outlets intensively connect to each other regardless of their ideological preferences. The analysis of the patterns of connections between the media and the political actors has however exposed slight polarization. Journalists carefully select which speakers they grant exposure to and the position of media products on the ideological spectrum correlates with the circles of politicians, experts, and intellectuals that are given priority. It is our conclusion that the Hungarian media are far from being politically hyperpolarized. Ideologically oriented blocs are discovered, yet there are intensive interactions between media outlets that have different political colors. The media therefore demonstrates the capacity to overcome partisan animosity and integrate a politically divided Hungarian society.
