(Social) Media: Binding or Blinding?

This article focuses on the polarization of societal issues such as climate change. We argue for a detailed conceptualization of polarization and aim to understand the influence of traditional and social media on polarization processes. Four different types of polarization are distinguished: ideological, affective, factual belief and perceived polarization. Contrary to prevailing negative narratives about the impact of digitalization on polarization processes, we argue that a nuanced account expresses a need for empirical research. The paper seeks to shed light on how media, both traditional and social, contribute to or alleviate polarization, ultimately aiming to provide insights into navigating the complex and context-specific interactions between politics, media, and the public in contemporary society.