Logics and levels of ecology theory: organizing Chicago School ecological approaches for journalism studies

Abstract Chicago School ecology, with its emphasis on diverse sets of interacting actors, unanticipated outcomes, and ongoing adaptation to shifting environments, offers a helpful lens for examining a disrupted, changing journalism and its existential challenges. Drawing from the Chicago School tradition, we generate a framework for conceptualizing the ecological study of local-level journalism and journalistic change in a more coherent, systematic way. The framework is visualized in a matrix with two dimensions: levels of analysis (systemic and interactionist), and logics of adaptation (transactional and cognitive-cultural). On the matrix we situate middle-range ecological approaches from journalism studies that have roots in this tradition. Our aim is to provide more theoretical context, clarity and intentionality for scholars in their use of ecological approaches and concepts in the study of journalism and its uncertainties.