Jean Charron

Biography

After completing a master's and doctoral degree in political science at Laval University and a post-doctoral degree at the University of Bordeaux, Jean Charron became professor in the Department in 1991. Although his training associates him with political science, he defines himself as a sociologist of public communication, with a more marked interest in the analysis of journalistic practices. At that time, his work focused on political journalism and, in particular, on the influence relations between journalists and their sources of information. In 1992, with his colleague Jean de Bonville, a trained historian, he founded the Research Group on the Changes of Journalism (GRMJ), which for nearly 20 years has been studying the transformations of the press and journalism on a scale historical. In collaboration with other colleagues and students who are joining them in the realization of certain research projects, the two researchers elaborate theoretical concepts and proposals that aim to account for the way in which a cultural practice such as journalism fundamentally transforms in the long term. In the GRMJ, more theoretical work alternates with more empirical research projects. The factors to consider in explaining the transformations of journalism being of various natures (economic, political, sociocultural, Jean Charron is the author or co-author of several books and research papers as well as several scientific articles on journalism.

Research Interest

History Journalism Communication Media