What do we know about media, communication, journalism, and democracy in the Nordic region? A new special issue of Nordicom Review brings together literature reviews that aim to answer just that. We spoke with Magnus Fredriksson, professor and co-editor of the issue, about why these kinds of overviews are needed now, and how they might support both research and public understanding.
Democracy in the Nordic region remains strong, but it’s not without its challenges. As questions of media trust, political polarisation, and digital transformation grow more urgent, so does the need for accessible and consolidated knowledge. That’s the motivation behind the new special issue of Nordicom Review, which gathers literature reviews on media, communication, journalism, and democracy in the Nordics.
The issue arrives at a time when research is increasingly specialised, and we see increased diversification in in most academic disciplines. “It’s becoming harder and harder to get a clear picture of what we actually know”, says professor Magnus Fredriksson, one of the editors of the special issue. “If we researchers find it hard to stay updated, one can only imagine how difficult it must be for others who want to learn more about what we know”.
By inviting experts in the field to write literature reviews, the special issue aims to offer well-founded and reliable answers to the simple but crucial question: What do we know about…? in a set of areas related to media, communication, journalism, and democracy, relevant both within and beyond academia.
Link Between Research and Policy
The focus on accessibility is no coincidence. As an institution situated at the intersection of academia, industry, and politics, Nordicom has a mission to serve as a link between research and policy.
“This is part of our mandate and has shaped much of what we do as an academic publisher. We publish all our research Open Access, and we provide everything we do free of charge to the public. This issue is a natural step forward in that direction”, says Fredriksson.
Accordingly, each piece is structured to provide straightforward takeaways, something that can be used not just by fellow researchers, but also by educators, journalists, media professionals, civil servants, and others looking to make informed decisions about media and communication.
A Broad View of Nordic Media Research
The issue has a Nordic focus, and the articles are characterised by their breadth of topics that range from declining media trust and the dilemmas journalists face during crises to how journalistic practices are changing as a result of digitalisation. Other articles explore the political uses of the past in Nordic media discourses, the relationship between fiction and democracy, and how religiosity is portrayed in the media.
“The variety reflects the diversity of the field – and the richness of Nordic research”, Fredriksson notes.
“We are actually already working on a broader initiative around research overviews for a wider audience. The work is still in its early stages, so it’s hard to say exactly what it will lead to, but the idea is that we will actively publish similar research overviews in the future”, he concludes.
Articles in the special issue will be published continuously May–July 2025. During the NordMedia conference in Odense (13–15 August 2025), a panel will be held to present and discuss themes from the special issue.
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What do We Know about Media, Communication, Journalism, and Democracy in the Nordics?
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