Silvio Waisbord. “The communication manifesto”

Abstract

The "communication manifesto" is a timely book that calls for more public scholarship in communication and media studies. It aims to develop ideas that further stimulate conversation about our contribution to society and, most importantly, action that strengthens “scholars’ engagement with publics beyond academia” (p. 9). This means not only to communicate and discuss scientific knowledge in and with various publics but also to do research with practical implications and learn from the public. The author, Silvio Waisbord, is a professor at the George Washington University and published many pertinent articles and books in the fields of journalism, media policy, participatory and democratic communication, populism, human rights, and health communication. Over the years, he has gained profound insights in the development and diversity of communication scholarship by working and lecturing across the world. With his book, Waisbord addresses a long-standing discussion in our discipline. Over the last decades, many researchers have criticized that communication research does not contribute sufficiently to public discourses on media and communication and thereby misses opportunities to contribute its knowledge and demonstrate its social relevance (see Altmeppen, 2012, pp. 37–38; Brantner & Huber, 2013, p. 250; Craig, 2008; Docherty, Morrison, & Tracey, 1993; Fengler & Eberwein, 2012; Ruß-Mohl, 2006, p. 203; Wartella, 1993). Most recently, this discussion has gained renewed momentum.