Mediat ja julkiset intellektuellit

Författare

• Hannu Nieminen

Abstract

In this article, the role and historical development of the »public intellectuals» is discussed. It is suggested that in modern societies, a social stratum called public intellectuals emerges, the task of whom it is to explain and interpret the things and events in the world - how things are, what is right and wrong, good and bad - to the great public of ordinary citizens. In the article, the factors are explored that effect the changes and transformations in the role and function of the public intellectuals. It is suggested that as the media play a constitutive role for the public intellectuals, their anatomy can best be illuminated through studying the relationship between the mass media and the intellectuals. At the same time, however, it is emphasized that the influence of other social institutions as well as overall social conditions must be included in the analysis. This methodological approach can be operationalized by selecting some historical periods during which the role of the public intellectuals has been most visible. It is suggested that as such culmination points can serve the years 1956, 1968, 1982, and 1990. Comparing these periods and the roles of the intellectuals within them, we can make further conclusions on the transformations of public intellectuals.