News Wholesalers as Churnalists?

Abstract

Whereas studies on churnalism have mainly focused on how public relations material and wire copy is recycled in newsrooms, this study switches perspective and concentrates on the wholesale side of news production. News agencies are a major news source especially with regard to foreign news, yet little is known about their news production practices. Against this background, this research project investigates how agency journalists produce news about the European Union (EU). Particular interest is given to the relationship between journalists and their sources. Applying a qualitative approach, 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted with agency correspondents and bureau chiefs in Brussels from 27 national and international media organisations, accompanied by think-aloud protocols. The interviews reveal that agency journalism in Brussels is centred on the EU institutions. Due to time pressure and poorly staffed newsrooms, correspondents rely heavily on material provided by the political institutions. Many concede that they lack time for in-depth and investigative research. Further, it becomes evident that the topics covered are initiated largely by the EU, revealing the latter’s extensive agenda-building capacity. Hence, the question arises whether agency correspondents are merely churning copy or whether they can uphold their journalistic autonomy vis-à-vis the EU’s vast public relations machinery.