My research lies at the intersection of journalism and sociopolitical studies, with a focus on media sociology, political communication, and journalism studies. Specifically, I investigate the dynamics and structural forces that cause global journalism to deviate from its espoused public service mission. I am particularly interested in how journalism is shaped by other socio-political fields, and how sociopolitical factors—especially the ideology and worldview of individual journalists and media organizations—inhibit ethical journalism practices.
My work addresses several pivotal concepts, including media’s public service role, the emergence of the digital public sphere, the impact of disinformation on democracy, media self-censorship, and the representation of unheard voices in media. In my Ph.D. dissertation, I reconceptualized the Hierarchy of Influences (HIM) model—the most comprehensive framework for studying influences on journalism—to develop the Single Society Influences Model (SSIM). This methodological extension explores the determinants of variance in media representation, allowing for a focused analysis of why organizations within the same media ecosystem produce varied news framing. This unique approach zeroes in on the specific factors that affect journalism’s public service mission. My model was recognized with the second-best theory paper award at the 2025 Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) conference in San Francisco. Previously, my master’s thesis at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee explored the factors influencing self-censorship in journalism within the Bangladeshi context. Drawing on this work, I authored a paper appeared in the News Research Journal, that introduces the new concept of ‘Private Self-censorship’ to media scholarship. Drawing upon Russian-British philosopher Isaiah Berlin’s idea of positive and negative freedom and the self-censorship model by economists Philip Cook and Conrad Heilmann, this research challenges the traditional scholarly understanding that self-censorship is caused solely by external factors.
Philosophically, I am dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all aspects of my work. I view truth-seeking as the fundamental epistemological assumption underlying communication, where truths, in the classical sense, serve as the building blocks of knowledge. Since journalism deals with functional truths, its core function is knowledge-building, making adherence to public service and truth-seeking principles paramount. Journalism’s primary role is to ensure unheard voices are amplified, thereby contributing to the development of a democratic and pluralistic public sphere. My research paradigm bridges positivism and post-positivism. I employ primarily qualitative methods (such as discourse analysis, interviews, ethnography, and internet ethnography) alongside quantitative methods (particularly surveys). I analyze a diverse range of data, including news articles, social media data, public opinion surveys, and government documents.
My methodological training is rigorous, encompassing seven graduate-level courses that span Communication, Political Science, and Sociology. Courses completed include JTC 664 Quantitative Research in Communication, POLS 627 Quantitative Methods of Political Research II, JTC 665 Qualitative Methods in Communication Research, SOC 510 Sociological Methods I, SOC 511 Sociological Methods II, JAMS 700 Approaches to Media Studies (Qual) and JAMS 701 Media Studies Research Design (Quan). This extensive grounding has provided me with a strong command of both quantitative and qualitative techniques, allowing me to proficiently employ mixed-method approach in my research. As a new faculty member, I am committed to immediately launching independent research projects and aggressively pursuing external research grants relevant to my expertise.
As a media scholar seeking a position at a research university or organization, the overarching goal of my future research is to systematically investigate the complex forces that lead global journalism away from its ideals. Drawing from extant literature and my own research—which highlight worldview, motivation, and ideology as primary determinants of individual behavior—my future studies will explore their specific impact on journalistic professionalism and objectivity. I will also delve into the intricate interrelationships between the journalistic field and other societal fields, particularly the dynamic interplay between politics and individual journalists.
Lastly, the value I place on collaborative research is paramount. Throughout my academic career, I have actively partnered with interdisciplinary scholars to broaden the scope and impact of my work.
Abu Taib Ahmed 