Mediatized interactions: Convergences between mediatization and regimes of meaning and interaction

Abstract

The paper articulates mediatization and interaction by approaching and tensioning theoretical perspectives about mediatization as well as the interaction and meaning regimes proposed by sociosemiotics. Thus, it considers that the articulation of the North European and Latin American perspectives of mediatization with the four regimes of interaction and meaning — programming, manipulation, adjustment and accident — present heuristic potential to analyze mediatized interactions. The analysis of these interactions turns to some elements of Jair Bolsonaro’s election campaign for the presidency in 2018, highlighting the fake news operated by bots and the stabbing episode of the candidate. This paper concludes, based on this case, that programming, manipulation and accident tend to be related to the institutionalist perspective of mediatization, centered on the media logic. Manipulation, adjustment and accident tend to be related to the socio-constructivist perspective, inscribed in the logics of mediatization.