Abstract
To compete for survival and prosperity on TV arena, each political talkshow has its own list of star pundits similar in traits as its target audiences. By providing them topics and exposure opportunities, the talkshow creates for these pundits a space of capital flow, which means differently types of capitals become interchangeable. Eventually, all capital exchanges serve but to secure most favorable social positions for acquiring most lucrative economic capitals. In strong contrast, the Defense Ministry tends to rely on symbolic capitals to ensure their professional prestige and authority, so as to win the trust of the people. This paper asks what kinds of conflicts could be expected when these two scenarios clash on military topics, as advantages and disadvantages in capital use from both sides necessarily decide what get interpreted and circulated on TV. Via a discourse analysis of the collected talkshow episodes on major Military-Law events in 2011, the author examines the types of capitals being evoked and appropriated, and strategies used. It is discovered that unlike those pundits, the Defense Ministry tends to be constrained by the power play and characteristics of media arena, being less flexible in capital exchange.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
