Forthcoming “Latvia’s Media Ecology in the 2020 Pandemic Crisis”

The aim of research was to monitor and analyze the media ecology of Latvia during the initial period of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting social crisis. The volume is based on a number of theoretical approaches to media ecology and the media ecosystem. Media ecology consists of the concept of a network, with interconnections and synthesis of the interrelationships of many phenomena and developments. It reveals the vital and dynamic presence of the media in the social ecosystem. The book includes research on the informative role of media and social networks, media economics, media literacy, advertising, digital technologies, regional media, public mood management, ethics, public performances of private space, mediatization of pets and many other aspects of media in the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. A separate chapter is devoted to the historical experience of media activity in emergency situations. The scientific editors of book are Professor Vita Zelče, Professor Emeritus Skaidrīte Lasmane and Associate Professor Marita Zitmane. The authors of the chapters are Associate Professor Ojārs Skudra, Assistant Professor Viktors Freibergs, Associate Professor Klinta Ločmele, Associate Professor Zane Radzobe, Associate Professor Renārs Felcis, reseacher Kaspars Zellis, Candidates of Ph. D. Laura Uzule, Raivis Vilūns, Velta Skolmeistere and Sanita Dubra, Ph. D. Student Elza Lāma, Gradutes of Master’s Study Programme of Communication Science Diāna Polgina and Sandis Sauka. Book designer is Laura Veļa.

The book is dedicated to the memory of Rolands Tjarve, a Lecturer of the University of Latvia Faculty of Social Sciences, who died during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The book “Latvia’s Media Ecology in the 2020 Pandemic Crisis” is the result of the Latvian Council of Science Fundamental and Applied Research Project Programme project “Analysis of Changes Caused by the Fourth Industrial Revolution” (2019–2020).