The identity dilemma: Identity drivers and social media fatigue among journalists

Abstract

ABSTRACTAn increasing body of media research suggests journalists are struggling to balance their personal and professional identities. This is particularly evident in social media spaces, where regulations from news organizations remain murky and audience expectations for engagement continue to grow. These studies, which relied heavily on content analyses and large-scale surveys, have demonstrated fundamental shifts in the norms journalists use to guide their practice, while also suggesting that journalists may be searching for ways to periodically disengage from social media. Drawing on interviews with 39 American and Australian journalists, this study explores drivers of what we consider to be a rising identity dilemma among journalists and why social media disengagement is considered a possible solution. The findings suggest journalists are grappling with issues of personal and professional identity construction across social media platforms with organizational pressures to present a more professional appearance without room for periodic disengagement from social media.