Traditional Journalism Research Articles

Deliberation in online political talk: exploring interactivity, diversity, rationality, and incivility in the public spheres surrounding news vs. satire

Abstract Political satire is often believed to enrich the public sphere in ways distinct from traditional journalism. This study examines whether deliberative qualities of online political talk in response to satire differ from those in response to regular news or partisan news. The analysis focuses on four normative standards: interactivity, diversity, rationality, and civility. A manual content analysis of YouTube comments (n = 2,447) reveals that the public sphere surrounding political satire shows a notable strength: Less incivility, both in terms of impoliteness and intolerance. Surprisingly, aside from this, satire’s public sphere did not differ much from that of regular news. Comments on partisan news were more opinionated and ideologically diverse. These findings suggest that online political talk prompted by satire is not inferior to that of traditional news. Additionally, this study highlights how the presence of different normative standards is often interconnected.

The Anticolonial Turn in Journalism and the Media in Pre-Independence India: How Newspaper Coverage by Foreign and Indian Newspapers of the Champaran, Dandi, and Dharasana Movements Made Gandhi a Household Name

ABSTRACT This article argues that the role played by the print media in India’s anticolonial struggle was a pivotal point of departure in the episteme of postcolonial histories—one that provided an impetus and guiding light to similar struggles worldwide, a position often ignored by Eurocentric academia studying media historiographies. It is based on extensive reviews of newspaper archives from the northeastern and northwestern states of Bihar and Gujarat in India, as well as archival review of the British press, and it outlines the coverage of Gandhi’s interventions in the two states that ultimately resulted in nationwide mobilization. The authors argue that the journalistic tradition of anti-colonial protest that developed in India provided an impetus to the advancement of anticolonial sentiments and the movement as a whole. This was supplemented in some measure by the more radical members of the British press, while the mainstream British press remained committed to the colonial project.

THE PRESSING ISSUES IN TRAINING SPORTS JOURNALISTS

This article analyzes the forms of sports journalism that have emerged as a result of the specialization of journalism and the transformation of genres in traditional journalism.

Visualization acceptance among the data journalists in the United Arab Emirates: A structural equation modeling-based study

New trends and practices in journalism and news-making contribute to data journalism’s increasing adoption and use. This study highlights and examines data journalism as a significant practice among journalists in the United Arab Emirates. Theoretically supported by social cognitive theory, data from 309 journals is analyzed using structural equation modelling. The results show a strong preference among Emirati journalists for using data journalism professionally. These journalists encode data using various visualization approaches to improve data availability and transparency for readers. Also, they prioritize assuring easy and understandable data decoding among audiences, potentially promoting critical thinking. Thus, the study concludes that Emirati journalists are assertive about adopting and using data journalism approaches to enhance their skills and provide transparent data to readers. Also, data journalism’s preference reflects technology’s integration into traditional journalism, transforming communication into a two-way process. Finally, the research discusses the study implications, limitations, and recommendations accordingly.

Integrating the Survey of Regional Rural Cultural Inheritance into the Teaching Practice of Communication Studies

In China, communication studies, as a discipline, have a history of more than ten years, but as a secondary discipline under “journalism and communication studies”, communication education has no its own characteristics from traditional journalism education. The talent cultivation model that not only focuses on cultivating students’ social science theoretical qualities, but also on cultivating practical skills and professional practical abilities has not yet been formed. In order to cultivate students’ social awareness in professional practice, the study explores, for the regional universities in China, how to incorporate regional cultural characteristic elements into cultivating journalism and communication talents with the construction of a “practice-oriented” applied communication talent training model.

Citizen journalism revisited: A case study of Kenya’s kibera news network

In an evolving media landscape, the prominence and influence of citizen journalism has grown markedly, challenging historical norms and providing alternative narratives. While traditional journalism has been guided by objectivity, autonomy, and ethics, its representation has been questioned, especially in marginalised communities like Kibera, a neighbourhood in Nairobi, Kenya. Scholars have shed light on the transformational role of journalism and the ensuing need for democratisation in its practice, acknowledging the challenge it faces in representing diverse sections of the population. Using Kibera News Network (KNN) as a case study, this mixed methods study looks at the extent to which citizen journalists, despite lacking formal training, uphold and perhaps even redefine traditional journalistic principles. Utilising a qualitative content analysis of KNN videos and in-depth interviews with citizen journalists in Kibera, findings suggest that these citizen journalists exhibit a solid commitment to ethical reporting, emphasising accuracy and fairness, perhaps due to these journalists being citizens in their community—a community that has been marginalised and misrepresented—and thus experience a heightened sense of belonging. KNN citizen journalists also demonstrate high levels of autonomy and journalism ethics and are unburdened by the political and financial pressures that shape some mainstream media narratives. Taken together, findings suggest that the citizen journalist work of KNN contributes to multiple civic outcomes, including neighbourhood belonging and collective efficacy, which leads to civic participation.

Audience perceptions of AI-driven news presenters: A case of ‘Alice’ in Zimbabwe

Digital innovations are transforming newsroom practices across the globe. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is upending and altering newsmaking and news distribution practices. Whilst there is existing literature on the ever-changing journalism practices due to AI tools in the Global North, scholarship on how these digital innovations are shaping African newsrooms has remained scant. This study uses the case of Alice, an AI-powered newsreader in Zimbabwe, to explore the audience perceptions of this digital innovation. Drawing upon Afrokology, and cultural studies as theoretical frameworks, this qualitative study derived data through digital ethnography and in-depth interviews. Findings demonstrate that there are mixed feelings on the appropriation and use of AI-driven news anchors. On the one hand, some audiences applaud the use of AI news anchors as innovative storytelling techniques. On the other hand, audiences are concerned with Alice’s lack of human emotion, poor accent and perceive her as a threat to traditional journalists’ jobs. Some of the resistance towards Alice indicate a need for decolonising the AI tools in the newsrooms.

Understanding Business Model of Digital Journalism in Indonesia

The transformation in the media landscape in Indonesia is underscored by the emergence of digital-centric media entities and a new mode of news production distinctly divergent from traditional journalism. The purpose of this study is to examine the evolving business model of digital journalism, a sector experiencing rapid growth following the advent of the internet, social media, and the consolidation of online journalism since 2010. Employing a qualitative-descriptive method, this research is designed to capture the digital journalism business model in Indonesia's post-traditional print and broadcast media systems. From 2021 to 2023, the authors meticulously observed the contents and management of selected news media outlets, conducted semi-structured interviews, and gathered pertinent documents. The key question of this study centers on the nature of the business model underpinning journalism on digital platforms and its repercussions for the interest of news production and publication. The study reveals that business models for digital news media remain unstandardized, and the ecosystem of platform-based journalism has yet to achieve a healthy climate. From the perspective of digital news consumption, the prevailing culture of gratuitous (free) news culture and the concern of keeping trusted news media pose significant obstacles for news corporations in sustaining their operations.

Artificial Intelligence Journalism: An Enquiry within the Framework of News Values and Ethical Principles

This study was conducted to examine the effects of artificial intelligence technology on journalistic practice. The study analysed the news of İbrahim Selçuk, an artificial intelligence-based columnist of Dünya Newspaper, one of the leading newspapers in Turkey, and evaluated them in terms of news value and journalistic ethics. Within the scope of the research, 10 news samples published between October 2023 and March 2024 were analysed by descriptive analysis method. The results of the analysis show how much the news produced by artificial intelligence comply with the principles of traditional journalism. The evaluation made within the framework of the basic concepts of journalism reveals that although artificial intelligence news is newsworthy, it faces certain difficulties in terms of journalistic ethics. However, it is noted that more research is needed to provide a deeper understanding of the role and effects of AI technology in journalistic practice. This study can be considered as an important step to understand the evolution of AI technology in the field of journalism and to guide future applications.

Is Algorithm Killing News?Controversies and Breakout Strategies in Algorithmic News

Traditional journalism is undergoing an algorithmic transformation. Nowadays, algorithmic news can be widely used as one of the main ways of information dissemination, but the controversy it brings is also increasingly prominent. In this article, the essence and formation mechanism of the controversy in algorithmic news are discussed in more detail by combing the related literature and analyzing the data of practical cases. It is found that the controversy of algorithmic news mainly originates from the issues of information filtering, recommendation bias and algorithm opacity. In addition, the controversy also relates to users' concerns about authority, credibility and diversity. Aiming at a series of issues arising from algorithmic controversy, this article proposes a tripartite solution strategy for platforms, users and media, which is of reference value for alleviating algorithmic news controversy , enhancing users' trust and satisfaction of algorithmic news.

Creating Value for the Digital Reader in the Context of Sustainable Journalism

Because of digitalisation, social media platforms usage for news follow-up, the changing news consumption habits of young readers, and the COVID-19 pandemic, traditional journalism has been in a crisis for a while. Social media has become a significant competitor for news organisations in terms of both news consumption and advertising. Using the findings of the news consumption habits survey conducted with 200 participants in the United Kingdom (in London and Cardiff), this study discusses readers' expectations and consumption habits in the context of sustainable journalism. The survey constitutes a part of large-scale research carried out with the financial support of TÜBİTAK. It is revealed that readers heavily prefer digital platforms, including social media, for news follow-up, and this interest increased during the Pandemic. The main expectations of the consumer/reader are reliability, easy access/use, easy-to-follow, personalised/reader-specific content, and less advertising. Among the findings is that young readers prefer social media platforms that are not "news organisations" to follow the news. Reader-based revenues are regarded as the most crucial income for sustainable journalism. Media needs to understand the reader's expectations and produce news content that will create value for them to generate sustainable reader income.

From Niche Narrative to Audio Blockbusters

From Niche Narrative to Audio Blockbusters

What actually is peace journalism? Uncovering its (lack of) definition and related practices

While peace journalism is an often-evoked concept in academic and journalism industry literature, its exact definition remains rather elusive. This study utilizes a theoretical framework of metajournalistic discourse to understand how practitioners define peace journalism and identify its related practices. Results show that peace journalism is constructed with advocacy in mind. We argue the concepts of peace journalism and traditional journalism are not adversaries, but rather complementary.

Ethical Issues Confronting Namibian Hybrid Media Organizations in the Digital Age

There is a deep-seated realization that the uptake of digitization in newsrooms has necessitated the need for an ethical reformation. This article examines ethical issues confronting operations of selected Namibian hybrid media organizations. Using the Namibia Media Holdings and The Namibian as case studies, this article argues that the platformization of news work, ever-changing technological landscape, the immediacy of internet, media sustainability concerns, and the changing nature of public interest have reconfigured ethical decision-making in hybrid media organizations in Namibia. It demonstrates that although traditional journalism ethics are still relevant, there are new ethical issues confronting hybrid media organizations.

Documentary Content in The Digital Era (Watchdoc Documentary Content Study)

The rise of internet technology has revolutionized how we access media, making it more accessible and affordable for individuals from all walks of life. With the advent of broadcasting tools such as cameras, even ordinary people can create news content, including journalism. Watchdoc production house has taken a unique approach to disseminating information by presenting it as documentary content instead of relying on traditional journalistic channels. This approach helps educate the public about issues often overlooked by mainstream television channels, which are often controlled by authorities. This study explores how the Watchdoc production house selects its documentary content in this information age. It draws on a descriptive qualitative research method that includes literature reviews and interviews. The research findings suggest that the selection of documentary content still holds significant sway and resonates with a broad audience. Furthermore, it addresses the public's disillusionment with traditional journalism, which frequently needs to cover issues affecting marginalized groups.

The Influence of Social Media on traditional Journalism in Uganda. A case study of Capital Radio

This study examines how social media and traditional journalism interact dynamically within the framework of Uganda's Capital Radio. The research uses a case study technique and focuses on how social media affects news creation, audience interaction, and the potential and challenges for maintaining journalistic integrity. Using existing research on social media's impact on news, audience engagement, and journalistic practices, the study explores Capital Radio's maneuvers through this dynamic media environment. The study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional design, which is appropriate when the problem has a clear definition and the researcher needs the respondents to describe specific aspects of the problem. This study focused on 78 important Capital Radio stakeholders, including senior management, specialists in the field of social media's influence on Uganda's traditional journalism, shareholders, customers, and regulatory agencies. Various stakeholders were selected based on their thorough comprehension and insightful opinions of the topic's applicability to the goals of the research. The results are intended to give light on the transformative effects on news creation processes and the larger media ecosystem, as well as to provide insights into the symbiotic interaction between social media and traditional journalism. According to the report, social media has a big impact on Capital Radio's news creation and journalistic methods. It highlights how important it is to reconsider established journalistic procedures and adjust to the changing media environment. The poll underscores the significance of audience involvement in optimizing content generation and augmenting reporting, underscoring the imperative for news establishments to participate actively in audience engagement. Keywords: Social Media, Traditional Journalism, News Production, Audience Engagement, Media, Capital Radio

Recasting Twitch: Livestreaming, Platforms, and New Frontiers in Digital Journalism

Despite Twitch’s dominant position in Western livestreaming markets, institutional journalists rarely produce content on the platform. This paper investigates how journalistic practices, cultures, business models, and institutions approach Twitch through three empirical sites: The Washington Post’s experimentation with the app, left-leaning political influencer Hasan Piker, and the pro-QAnon 24/7 “news” channel, Patriots’ Soapbox. The cases demonstrate how newsmaking on Twitch flouts traditional journalists’ ideological and occupational boundaries, exploiting the platform’s features and affordances to enroll the audience in a live broadcasting experience.

My news, your news, and our news: Self-presentational motivations and three levels of issue relevance in news sharing on social media

Research on news sharing has focused on the societal relevance of news as the core value of traditional journalism or the informational characteristics of viral news on social media. In contrast, this study reinterprets news-sharing behaviors as interpersonal communication of news sharers presenting themselves to their personal networks beyond the distribution of societally important information. Through analyzing survey responses from 463 news sharers and the actual news they shared on social media, results suggest that news sharers consider their relationship with their audience and the personal and audience relevance of news to present their ideal selves and please their audience. By expanding the traditional emphasis on the societal relevance and informational characteristics of news, this study develops a theoretical framework to understand news sharing as interpersonal communication. It also provides future directions to conceptualize issue relevance at different levels and capture changed news-sharing behaviors in the era of networked individualism.

Derailing of Fourth Pillar of the Democracy and Future of Accountable, Transparent Democratic System

The fourth pillar of democracy, often referred to as the "Press" or "Media," plays a crucial role in upholding the principles of accountability and transparency within democratic societies. This paper explores the challenges faced by the media in contemporary times, leading to the potential derailment of its vital role. In the age of rapidly evolving technology and information dissemination, traditional journalism faces numerous threats, including misinformation, political interference, and economic pressures. The first section of the paper delves into the historical significance of the fourth pillar and its evolution over time. It highlights the essential role of a free and independent media in fostering an informed citizenry, holding the government accountable, and acting as a watchdog against corruption and abuse of power. The second section examines the contemporary challenges that threaten the integrity of the fourth pillar. The rise of digital platforms, social media, and the proliferation of fake news have significantly impacted the credibility of traditional journalism. Political interference, censorship, and attacks on journalists further exacerbate the erosion of media independence. The third section explores the consequences of a weakened fourth pillar on the democratic system. Diminished media freedom can lead to reduced government accountability, increased corruption, and a decline in public trust. The paper argues that the erosion of the fourth pillar poses a direct threat to the foundations of democracy itself. The final section outlines potential strategies and prospects for revitalizing and safeguarding the fourth pillar. This includes the promotion of media literacy, regulatory frameworks to counter misinformation, and international collaboration to protect journalists and media freedom. Additionally, fostering a diversified and sustainable media landscape is crucial for ensuring the continued vibrancy of the fourth pillar. In conclusion, this paper emphasizes the critical importance of a robust fourth pillar in sustaining a healthy democratic system. It calls for collective efforts from governments, civil society, and the media industry to address the challenges and preserve the essential role of the media in promoting accountability, transparency, and a well-informed electorate. Only through concerted action can we hope to secure the future of a democratic system built on the principles of an independent and responsible press.

Media-Tech Companies as Agents of Innovation: From Radical to Incremental Innovation in a Cluster

During recent decades new players, forms, and practices have been entering the journalism field, prompting a re-examination of journalism’s professional and organizational boundaries. Many scholars argue for expanding the scope of journalism studies beyond the newsrooms to encompass actors labelled as strangers, peripheral players, or interlopers. Those actors do not belong to traditional journalism but are becoming involved in the production of news, challenging journalism borders from the inside and out. Their influence has been growing and scholarship is increasingly mapping out these strangers and assessing their role in journalism innovation. In this article, we examine the role of one type of implicit interloper in journalism innovation: media-tech companies. We consider companies that provide video management and virtual reality services as implicit interlopers, due to their connection to journalism through the boundary object of news production and lack of claim over journalistic authority. We argue that media-tech companies have been under-researched based on a review of literature on innovation according to Holton and Belair-Gagnon’s (2018) typology of interlopers. Therefore, we examine what kind of innovation comes from the periphery of journalism, and the prerequisites for and the role of those innovations in the context of a specific cluster. We conducted a case study of Media City Bergen based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured elite interviews with executives of media-tech companies. Our findings show how media-tech companies bring innovation to production and distribution, content, and content consumption. Furthermore, they show how disruptiveness and the degree of innovations change with the maturation of the cluster.