Online Communities as Community Media. A Theoretical and Analytical Framework for the Study of Digital Community Networks

Abstract

Online communities or digital community networks are a growing phenomenon and can be seen as an attempt to enhance the development of geographically based communities, using digital technology. This development has given a new impetus to communication and information processes at the local an regional level, bringing geographically based digital community networks into the realm traditionally occupied by older 'new media' like community radio and television. The question than becomes relevant whether these digital community networks will accomplish a functionality for their users/participants, different from or similar to the functionality of community media. One way to answer this question is to gain an understanding of the main theoretical concepts and empirical evidence from the extensive tradition in theory and research on community media. Because of the similarity between community media and digital community networks, these concepts can then be evaluated on their usefulness to guide research on digital community networks and the relation between these networks and community media. In this contribution we will focus on the conceptual similarities and discrepancies between geographically based digital community networks and community media, by examining theoretical concepts that have been used in research on community media. We will then try to develop a theoretical and analytical framework that can be applied in research on both phenomena, community media and digital community networks