Mediatization of a Local Incident in a Digital Network Space: Interpretation of the Concept and Research Program

The article presents a research program of the mediatization 2.0 phenomenon. In the program, the authors attempt to fundamentally comprehend theoretical and methodological interpretation of mediatization in communicative studies, national and international. There is increased growth of social media and thus increases their qualitative impact on agenda-setting. The influence of digitalized communications on real processes is transformed. This explains the authors’ scientific interest in the phenomenon of mediatization in the network space. New constellations of subject relations emerge when not only political actors but also digital ones have got the power to transform a political agenda either in conservative or protest way. Communication flows generated by both official media channels and new unofficial network resources have an impact on citizens’ political activism. The study of this impact is relevant and practically significant. The authors introduce the concept of mediatization 2.0 into scientific use. They characterize the concept, categorize subjects and describe phases of mediatization 2.0, revealing the point when a mediatized incident transforms into real protest actions.