New book explores how truth is constructed in transmedia narratives

At the beginning of 2026, a new scholarly edited volume on truthfulness in transmedia, „Devised Truths and the Transmedial Construction of Worlds“, was published. One of its editors is Elin Sütiste, Associate Professor at the Department of Semiotics at the University of Tartu.

Against the backdrop of deepening environmental, political, and humanitarian crises, transmedia storytelling has become increasingly important in both mainstream and social media. The book examines the formation of truth and truthfulness in transmedia narratives and explores how stories and knowledge move across different media forms – from literature and film to social media. Drawing on the concept of “ecomedia literacy”, the book investigates the emergence of new ecologies that may be utopian or dystopian depending on how critically we approach texts. It therefore highlights that transmedia practices can be potentially dangerous, but at the same time instrumental in shaping positive attitudes, educating professionals, bringing forward alternative sources of information and, more broadly, promoting democracy.

The volume also addresses topics such as the post-truth era, participatory media, environmental narratives, and the emergence of alternative storytelling in digital culture. The book is published in the series "Palgrave Studies in Intermediality" and brings together international scholars who analyse the role of transmedia in culture and communication.