A concretization of mediatization: How ‘mediatization works’ and why mediatized worlds are a helpful concept for empirical mediatization research

The aim of the article is to outline an understanding of mediatization that might be a reference point for empirical research in various fields and contexts of present media cultures and societies. Therefore, present ideas and approaches of theorizing media-tization like for example the concept of the media logic are discussed critically. Based on this, an understanding of mediatization is outlined that focuses on the media as modifiers of communication. Such a reflection makes it possible to substantiate mediatization research as the empirical investigation of mediatized worlds.