Abstract
Despite growing interest in the emergence of technologies in journalistic practices, especially from the production perspective, there is still very little research on organizational structures and professional culture in relation to the deployment of these technologies. Drawing on six interviews and observation in staff meetings, this study aims to explore the nuances behind the professional roles of data journalists and how these relate to structural aspects of news organizations. The study focuses on the case of ProPublica, a news organization internationally renowned for its global excellence in data stories. This work considers boundary-making in the context of journalism and focuses on new professional roles in the news industry to produce a hybrid ethnography study based on qualitative data collected immediately before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the United States. The findings reveal the importance of hybrid profiles at ProPublica. While some journalists have had to expand their knowledge to learn more about new areas, such as coding and design, some non-journalistic professionals have had to develop writing skills, and this blurring of traditional boundaries forms an important aspect of ProPublica’s professional culture. The structure of the organization, divided into two teams engaged in cross-sector activities, helps to promote data skills and collaboration with other journalists, which also serves to mitigate any individual lack of experience on certain topics. The article concludes by suggesting that the growing importance of these new professional roles has broader implications for the development of data skills in the newsroom, and also discusses the limitations that can arise from the increasing overlap between journalistic and non-journalistic roles.
Highlights
There has been much discussion about how the increas‐ ing pervasiveness of technology has resulted in new dynamics in digital communication at a theoretical and conceptual level
This is an affluent neighborhood filled with the offices of bankers and high‐growth companies, proof that the funding ProPublica has received has had a significant impact on its business model
This research aimed to explore the role of multidis‐ ciplinary teams and hybrid profiles at ProPublica and how these professionals and their modes of work con‐ tribute to significant data projects
Summary
There has been much discussion about how the increas‐ ing pervasiveness of technology has resulted in new dynamics in digital communication at a theoretical and conceptual level. In this respect, emerging technolo‐ gies are increasingly shaping newsroom culture, as jour‐ nalists find themselves taking on new roles (Carlson & Lewis, 2015) and having to adapt to novel values, norms, and practices (Tandoc, 2018). Technology can intensify work pressures and expand the bound‐ aries of work to include a broader range of activities that were not previously seen as an obligatory dimen‐ sion of journalism, blurring normative boundary distinc‐. As non‐traditional journalis‐ tic formats are accounting for an ever‐growing portion of work in the field, there is a need to better under‐ stand these new peripheral actors and the ways they may be transforming the organizational culture (Schapals et al, 2019).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
