Sociologická žurnalistika, aneb české časopisy sociálněvědních aktualit

There was not a fixed border between social sciences in general, and particularly sociology on the one side, and cognisant journalism on the other in the past. If such a border already existed, usually after the full establishment of sociology as an academic discipline, certain sociologists deliberately crossed it. The reason was, on the one hand, the effort for a broader than just academic activity and gaining the support for social reforms, and, on the other hand, the effort to provide quick and up-to-date information on events in society and the academic community alike. The article analyses such cases in the history of Czech sociology, specifically periodicals Kruh (1946–48), Veřejné mínění (1947–48), Zprávy ČSSS (1968–69) and Sociologické aktuality (1989–94). The author summarizes the conditions for the existence of such “border” periodicals, describes their content, mission and social/disciplinary context of existence in three “epoches” in the history of Czech sociology. He also shows why they cannot exist in the modern system of academic work for a long time.