The Media (Studies) of the Pandemic Moment: Introduction to the 20th Anniversary Issue

Abstract

Television & New Media commemorates its 20th year anniversary with this diverse collection of short reflection pieces on the “intellectual and institutional turbulence” facing media studies and the ways our colleagues have taken up these challenges in their work. Our introduction to the anniversary issue specifically addresses the role of media and media studies in the COVID-19 pandemic moment. On the one hand, our discipline has the opportunity to reinforce and reflect on its long-held arguments as we see how the pandemic reveals key insights of the field with uncanny clarity. On the other hand, for some, there is the nagging sensation we will have to do more and better if we are to adequately account for all the features of the current crisis.