Soooo I revised research question, which I’m happy about! “What challenges and opportunities shape the development of independent Christian media platforms in today’s media landscape?” Siciliano (2022) examines digital gatekeeping by comparing conventional and platform-based cultural production. He distinguishes between “hard gates,” which restrict participation, and “soft gates,” which allow participation but can still create inequalities in visibility and circulation. This article resonates with my research because I recognize that gatekeeping is not inherently wrong; however, I am interested in how it can limit whose stories are told and whose voices are seen. The article challenges me to consider how independent Christian media can expand access, ownership, and visibility.
This article contributes to my broader vision of building independent Christian media infrastructure that gives Christian creatives greater ownership and access to the resources needed to tell their stories. My Master’s project is one branch of this larger endeavor, rather than the entirety of my work. After discussing my research question with Kristina DeVoe, I gained greater clarity about the direction I want to pursue. Although there are several avenues I could explore, I am most passionate about investigating whether independent Christian media platforms can provide not only access to production, but also ownership of creative work and opportunities for visibility. This research will help me think critically about how to structure the platform I am building to address existing barriers.
Siciliano, M. L. (2022). How gatekeeping became digital: Infrastructural barriers to participation in conventional and platformized cultural production. International Journal of Cultural Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2022.2137154