News organizations, ideology, and work routines: A multi-level analysis of environmental journalists

Abstract

Journalism scholarship has routinely relied on the hierarchy of influences model for the conceptualization of research questions and implementation of studies. Heeding Shoemaker and Reese’s call for more ‘multi-level’ analysis, this study looks at environmental journalism as a space for a multi-level analysis. Through in-depth interviews, environmental reporters described their work routines and organizational roles. The findings from these descriptions suggest that the environmental journalistic space is influenced by the relationship between journalistic ideology, organizational structures, and individual work routines. Ideology serves as the basis for both organizational business models and individual beliefs. Together, these three components serve as foundational base that dictates the work routines of environmental reporters.