Media Narration Group (MNG)

MNG studies narratives and changes in narratives in all types of media, both theoretically and empirically.

The group works particularly with qualitative text analysis and theory development, supplemented by other methods from the humanities and social sciences. Among other things, we map how the genres and narrative forms used by the media affect how different actors, events and trends appear in the texts. At the same time, we examine whether developments in society set new conditions for the methods of presentation the actors do and the media uses. Not least, the use of specialist and research knowledge plays a significant role in the media's representations.

This applies to journalism, non-fiction and other types of media texts. For example, we see an increasing democratization of public discourse through, among other things, social media, but also a rise in public narratives in the form of propaganda or fictitious statements disguised as facts.

The group studies such issues from a contemporary, historical and comparative perspective, both in Norway and in other countries. This knowledge can contribute to change in the fields we study.

MNG applies qualitative and textual research methods such as narrative, rhetorical and discourse analysis. Our research also includes other methods from the humanities and social sciences. For instance, the U-YouPa project includes participatory design and Living Labs.

MNG expands on the work of the research group Individual Exposure in Journalism (INDEX). INDEX published, among other things, three anthologies between 2015 and 2020. The two most recent have open access:

• Media Health. The Personal in Public Stories (Scandinavian University Press, 2020) (idunn.no)
• Putting a Face on It. Individual Exposure and Subjectivity in Journalism (Cappelen Damm Akademisk, 2017) (nordicopenaccess.no)
• The Individual in Journalism (Cappelen Damm Akademisk, 2015) 

The Media Narration Group consists of experienced and emerging researchers. We are committed to developing a participatory research culture where everyone learns from each other. In a broader sense, the group wants to democratize research practice and scientific knowledge. This means, among other things, publishing texts that appeal to a larger audience than professional peers.

We also involve media users as co-researchers in the development of our projects. An example is the project U-YouPa, funded by the Norwegian Research Council, where European youth contribute to the development of knowledge through Living Labs.

As of 2022 MNG is working on the following topics, which includes amongst others:

• A conceptual framework for narrative analysis of journalism and non-fiction
• Journalistic genre development in social media
• Polarization and identity building in the news media
• The use and evaluation of sources in journalism and non-fiction
• Critical sports journalism – narratives, topics and professional challenges
• Democracy and inclusion among young people in digital spaces

A number of MNG's publications are included in the curriculum for bachelor and master courses at the Department of Journalism and Media Studies.

The research is relevant to all specializations in OsloMet’s Master program in Media Development: Journalism; Non-fiction; and Media and Communication.

Publications are also used in curricula in other educational institutions. MNG's work thus contributes to strengthening students' media competence in various ways, especially text interpretation, critical language awareness and knowledge of media production in a wider social context.

In 2020, the group provided scholarships to two Master students who will contribute to MNG's work. In 2021, the group will be joined by a PhD and a post-doc research fellow.