Mediatization as a Mode of Being in the Light of Self-Isolation

Abstract

Against the background of the negative trends caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic and the self-isolation of citizens that had an impact on
the socio-economic development of states, there has been an increase in the
interest of different age groups of the population in testing digital technologies
and modern media platforms. The article examines the changes that have
occurred in the media market in 2020, substantiates the role of mediatization of
society in everyday life.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the forced self-isolation of citizens of
different countries adversely affected the socio-economic development of states
that had to counter the rise in the coronavirus infection of the population, and
had a cognitive impact on the consciousness of the individual, the behavioral
code of society as a whole. The fear of possible death, the uncertainty of the
situation, as well as the regime of self-isolation, which violates the principles
of socialization, inevitably plunges the individual into a state of psychological
shock. Based on the works of Erich Fromm "To be oneself " and "To have or to
be", the article examines the attitude of a person to the dichotomy "life-death",
which is a fundamental existential problem, substantiates the features of human
psyche that give the individual strength for existential existence.
On the basis of the research carried out by Mediascope, the empirical part
highlights the role of mass media and digital technologies, and reveals the social
preferences of Russians when they turn their attention to television and Internet
resources in the situation of self-isolation. It is concluded that during the period
of self-isolation, the mediatization of Russian citizens increased significantly,
but their preferences were focused on television news, documentary, socio-
political and educational programs. When watching movies on TV, media users
preferred to watch the on-screen production of online cinemas, the circulation
of which increased during the pandemic. Thus, the crisis has formed a new
reality that affects a person's consciousness and forces him to turn to the study
of innovative technologies.