A Collaborative Model between Sociologists and Journalists in Analyzing and Managing Social Issues: From Scientific Analysis to Media Narration

Document Type : Research paper

Authors
Saeed Moidfar 1
Mohammad Reza Hosseini 2
Hadi Zamani 3
Rasool Mehmandoost 4
1 Professor of Sociology, Department of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities, Ayatollah Boroujerdi University, Boroujerd, Iran
3 PhD Student in Sociology, University of Tehran, Kish International Campus
4 Chief of Sustainability & Social Responsibility, Mobarakeh Steel Company, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Social issues represent some of the most pressing challenges of contemporary societies, engaging the attention of citizens, civil institutions, and intellectual elites alike. Within this context, sociologists and journalists, as two reference groups, play a pivotal role in the processes of identifying, analyzing, and representing social problems. The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the roles and functions of these two groups in confronting social issues and the crises arising from them. Employing a qualitative design that combines a systematic literature review with a two-round Delphi technique, the perspectives of 15 experts in sociology and journalism were collected and analyzed. Findings indicate that sociologists, through scientific methods and structural analysis, and journalists, through analytical narration and media framing, can act complementarily in the processes of sensitization, interpretation, and problem-solving. Furthermore, synergy between these two groups -through joint working groups, co-production of analytical content, and interdisciplinary training- can significantly contribute to the enhancement of social capital and the advancement of sustainable development.

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