The Promise and Perils of Voice. (6th March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moy, Patricia
• Is Part Of: Journal of communication. Volume 70:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 12
• Publication Date: 2020-03-06
• Subjects: Voice -- Publics -- Public Opinion -- Deliberation -- Media Effects; Communication -- Periodicals; Communication and traffic -- Periodicals; Information theory -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Periodicals; 302.2
• DOI: 10.1093/joc/jqz049
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9916

Abstract

Abstract: This article, based on the author's presidential address at the International Communication Association's 69 th annual conference, speaks to the dual-edged nature of voice. It positions voice and the public as two closely related concepts, and reviews how varying definitions of the public throughout the years have played a critical role in determining which voices get heard. The article then discusses the normative foregrounding of voice in deliberative democracy and how, facilitated by technology, voices also bring with them noise and clamor. Finally, this article highlights concerns that arise from an overabundance of voices, and calls for mindful, disciplinary exercising of voice .