ABSTRACT
In Chapter 3, the notion of critical theory is applied to media/communication studies and information science. A systematic typology of communication theories is introduced. It is based on a refined version of Burrell’s and Morgan’s typology of social theories. Critical information, communication and media studies are defined as studies that focus ontologically on the analysis of media, communication, information and culture in the context of domination, asymmetrical power relationships, exploitation, oppression and control by using epistemologically all theoretical and/or empirical means necessary for doing so to contribute at the praxeological level to the establishment of a participatory, co-operative society. Five kinds of approaches in critical media and information studies are introduced: (1) approaches that are based on the commodity hypothesis, (2) approaches that are grounded in the ideology and manipulation hypothesis, (3) alternative media approaches, (4) reception approaches and (5) integrative approaches. Example approaches are outlined. The author argues for an integrative view of critical media and information studies. Dialectical philosophy enables a critique of technological determinism and complex forms of media and technology assessment. The notion of informational capitalism does not designate that information, knowledge or information technologies are the central aspects of contemporary society or economy. One should use the category of informational capitalism in a modest sense for characterizing all those parts of the economy that create informational goods or services.
