Changing journalism practices via digital media in the context of the critical political economy theory: A comparative study on digital and printed newspapers

ABSTRACT Critical political economy is an important approach that enables holistic evaluation of media in economical, historical, social and technological context. In studies related to communication and media, critical political economy approach focuses on the ideological effect of media messages within the context of ownership and property relations by considering the social and economic conditions of the period. As digital communication environments enable important changes for journalism practices and the process of news production, it also points to an area where capitalist formations are reshaped through various practices and services. Digital media journalism has become an important ideological tool of capitalist system through advertisements, sponsored contents, subscriptions and various business models. This study aims to examine journalism practices are being modified by digital media from different perspectives and also to make a political evaluation of critical political economy related to digital media journalism. In this regard, content analysis method is applied in printed newspapers and news portals, and an inference related to digital media journalism is made through quantitative findings in the light of critical political economy approach. Keywords: Critical political economy, Traditional media, Digital media, Changing journalism practices, Critical political economy of digital newspapers