Journalistic Practices Research Articles

The impact of documentary films as a form of investigative journalism: analysis of methods, ethics, and public influence

ABSTRACT Documentary films occupy a pivotal position in the formation of public opinion and serve as a productive instrument in the practice of investigative journalism. It is of the utmost importance to gain an understanding of the influence that these films have on public discourse and to address the ethical concerns that arise from this. This will ensure that the quality of this genre is enhanced and that responsible journalism practices are upheld. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of documentary films on public opinion, with a particular emphasis on their contribution to investigative journalism. Furthermore, the study aims to examine the ethical considerations about the production of such films and their impact on the capacity of the films to engender social change. A combination of comparative analysis and surveys was employed to elicit insights from professionals engaged in the fields of documentary journalism and filmmaking. These methods permitted an examination of filmmaking techniques, ethical issues and public influence across several case studies. The study demonstrates that documentary films exert a considerable influence on public opinion, promote awareness of pivotal social issues, and reinforce democratic values. The results of the survey indicate that filmmakers rely heavily on research and analysis, followed by on-location filming and the use of hidden cameras. However, it is evident that emotional impact and archival materials also play a significant role in the production process. Documentary films serve as an efficacious medium for investigative journalism, influencing public discourse and contributing to social change. Nevertheless, the ethical creation of such films represents a significant challenge that requires attention to both professional standards and emotional labor. The findings offer invaluable insights for content creators, journalists, and filmmakers, enabling the development of more effective and ethically responsible strategies in their documentary projects. This will ensure a greater impact on public opinion and social awareness.

Exploring the Awareness and Implementation of Data Journalism in Malaysian Online Newsrooms

This article is a study about the importance and significance of data journalism in the digital media. As the era of digital advancement takes over almost all industries, it could be seen that data is proliferating in the ways many jobs work. However, study shows that industries that heavily rely upon data, such as the online newsrooms, pay insufficient attention to data journalism. This research is aimed at studying and evaluating the surfeit awareness and practice of data journalism in online newsrooms in Malaysia. This paper employed convenience sampling, selecting five editors-in-chief from different online newsrooms in Malaysia for in-depth interviews. This method was carefully selected based on the accessibility of these individuals, given their high-ranking positions in their respective news organisations. Data was analysed using thematic analysis, identifying patterns from the interview transcripts to understand how data journalism is understood and implemented. The findings of this this study show that some of these newsrooms see any story involving data as data journalism, while some perceive data journalism as more towards investigative journalism involving overhauling projects. This shows that even though these newsrooms recognize the existence of data journalism, their depth of understanding the principalities of data journalism varies. If anything, this this study would potentially be a practical guide to implement data journalism in the Malaysian online newsrooms.

Journalistic Continuity and Variability in South Korea’s COVID-19 Coverage

ABSTRACT There have been contradictory observations and discussions on journalistic roles in covering public health crises, such as media hype/mediatization, politicization, and polarization or public mobilizers and educators. This paper investigates the journalistic roles and practices in South Korea during 2020, focusing on the differences and similarities between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 news stories. As part of the second wave Journalistic Role Performance (JRP) Project, we conducted a content analysis of news stories collected from television and radio broadcasts, newspapers, and online news media (n = 3959). The study found that while the tendency of media hype/mediatization and political polarization were partially persistent in COVID-19 stories, the public mobilizer and educator role became significantly higher in COVID-19 coverage. The results indicate that while journalists adhered to habitual journalistic practices structured within the highly competitive and politically polarized South Korean media system, they also adopted different practices when covering the pandemic, regardless of their ideological affiliations. This study contributes to understanding how journalists exhibit both continuity and variability in their roles and practices within specific contexts, such as during the pandemic.

How Do Journalists Read? Reading Practices and Beliefs of Journalism Professionals

ABSTRACT This paper presents a qualitative analysis of a multiple case study of the reading practices of six journalists in Uruguay. Professional groups constitute communities of practice that develop beliefs and idiosyncratic ways of integrating literacy into their activities. We investigate how six active journalists carry out reading in the context of their professional activities and how this relates to their beliefs about journalism. We used verbal reading protocols of three texts of different genres and conducted semi-structured interviews. The results show that when reading, the participants scrutinize the context, analyze the quantitative information of the texts, and evaluate their linguistic style. These reading practices can be related to participants’ beliefs that journalistic events are constructed based on the broader context, that journalists must adjust what they write to factual truth, and that news pieces must be precise and clear texts in stylistic terms. The observed reading strategies work for fulfilling participants’ interpretive frames about the events presented in the texts, connecting the new information with their previous knowledge. The similarities observed between participants’ reading practices seems to indicate that written journalism expertise shapes the reading practices of active journalists and that it makes them read differently than other professionals.

“It’s chaos”: affective spaces of journalism in Istanbul

Abstract Based on 9 months of ethnographic fieldwork in Istanbul, Turkey, this article explores the affective attachments circulating around urban spaces of journalism in Istanbul, with particular attention to how experiences of urban life shape journalists’ imaginaries of their relationship to each other, the city, their audience, and the broader “public” of Turkey. This article considers how journalistic life and practice is a form of subjectivity that hinges upon spatialized affects and affective spaces. These affects emerge as the physical landscapes and spaces of journalism alter, whereby journalists attach and reflect on different spaces as they try to make sense of their professional lives amidst the uncertainties of spatial change. This article orients the narratives presented—which highlight themes of professional solidarity, dispossession, and social isolation—to argue that definitions and practices of journalism are “embedded in the changing rhythms and dynamics of urban life” (Rodgers et al., 2014: p. 106).

Editorial: Press freedom, journalism practice, and professionalization in times of uncertainty

Editorial: Press freedom, journalism practice, and professionalization in times of uncertainty

Friends or Foes? Exploring the Framing of Artificial Intelligence Innovations in Africa-Focused Journalism

The rise and widespread use of generative AI technologies, including ChatGPT, Claude, Synthesia, DALL-E, Gemini, Meta AI, and others, have raised fresh concerns in journalism practice. While the development represents a source of hope and optimism for some practitioners, including journalists and editors, others express a cautious outlook given the possibilities of its misuse. By leveraging the Google News aggregator service, this research conducts a content and thematic analysis of Africa-focused journalistic articles that touch on the impacts of artificial intelligence technology in journalism practice. Findings indicate that, while the coverage is predominantly positive, the tone of the articles reflects a news industry cautiously navigating the integration of AI. Ethical concerns regarding AI use in journalism were frequently highlighted, which indicates significant apprehension on the part of the news outlets. A close assessment of views presented in a smaller portion of the reviewed articles revealed a sense of unease around the conversation of power in the hands of tech giants. The impact of AI on the financial stability of media outlets was framed as minimal at present, suggesting a neutral, wait-and-see position of news outlets. Our analysis of predominantly quoted sources in the articles revealed that industry professionals and technology experts emerge as the most vocal voices shaping the narrative around AI’s practical applications and technical capabilities in the continent.

Exploring Changing Practices and Influence of Artificial Inteligence on Modern Journalism

Journalism in the rapidly evolving modern world is undergoing significant transformation due to the rise of artificial intelligence applications. The study explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on modern journalism, including its transformative effects on news production, distribution, and consumption. This study explores the intricate relationship between AI applications and evolving journalism practices. Through an analysis of industry trends and case studies, we have identified the multidimensional impact of the applications on newsrooms, information collections, and reporting. We have highlighted both the opportunities and challenges brought about by this technologıcal paradigm shift in the field. The study aims to offer a detailed comprehension of the developing relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) applications and contemporary journalism. The results provide significant insights for scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders concerning the dynamic intersection of technology and media.

Picturing Peace Journalists: An Examination of Social Profiles and Professional Model Diffusion

Changes in global journalism are reflected in myriad cross-national professionalization efforts, including the development and exportation of models for journalism practice. Literature on peace journalism, for instance, suggests that its adaptation across contexts is shaped by forces on several levels, including the influence of individual media practitioners. However, little research examines those likely to practice peace journalism nor the implications of these social profiles on the diffusion of the model more broadly. Drawing on field theory and 20 in-depth interviews with East African journalists conducted between 2020 and 2021, this study explores such questions by identifying shared dimensions of position and habitus across those who attend peace journalism trainings. Findings suggest that these individuals tend to be well educated, share common experiences with conflict, and hold similar interventionist role conceptions. Such findings illuminate the types of social transformations peace journalism may undergo as it is adapted across contexts, with implications for journalism theory and practice.

A creative ecosystem: regional journalism as scalable and integrated practice

Using a creative ecosystems approach, this paper demonstrates that journalism is deeply embedded in the interconnected ecosystem of publishing and, at a higher level, the creative industries. Analysis of data from seven regional areas in New South Wales and Victoria revealed that newsrooms and journalists are vertically integrated with national and international journalistic practices and economic imperatives and also horizontally integrated with other sectors in the creative industries. The analysis revealed a scalable yet integrated ecosystem at work with complex and interconnected journalistic practices on display. This view moves beyond the usual normative approach to studying journalism. We are not asserting that journalists should be doing certain things, as important as that is, but drawing attention to the fact that using this lens allows us a different and useful perspective on what they are actually doing.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Shaping News Narratives: A Review of Global Case Studies

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism is changing how news is created, disseminated, and consumed in the quickly changing media landscape. Reviewing international case studies, this study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) influences news narratives. The study looks at how AI-powered algorithms affect the way news stories are framed, chosen, and distributed. Through examining case studies from various regions such as Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America, the research delves into how AI impacts journalism practices and the associated ethical considerations. Key findings show that although AI improves personalization and efficiency, it also raises questions about audience perceptions, media diversity, and bias. The results of this study also emphasize the necessity of ethical concerns and legal frameworks by highlighting the opportunities and difficulties that AI presents to the media landscape. The study ends with suggestions for additional research and possible approaches to reducing the ethical difficulties.

An Assessment of the Impact of New Media And Citizen Journalism on Conventional Media Ethics in Nigeria

There is no doubt that citizen journalists engaging in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) have been complimenting the conventional media with information dissemination to the public sphere. However, a lot of loopholes have been observed in their duty discharge that are not professional and unethical to journalism practices. Media are an essential part of any developed or developing country; they are the mouthpiece of both the ruler and the ruled, and at the same time they have a great influence on the society, thereby are expected to uphold morals in high regard. Morals in journalism are seen as ethics that guide the performances of the journalism profession, ethics of the profession aren’t to be toiled with. Lack of media ethics is detrimental to the profession and capable of putting the society/country in jeopardy. This study is therefore set out to examine the impact/effect of new media and long-term citizen journalism on conventional media ethics. As it is known ethics in journalism is core to professional duty discharge and needs to be held in high esteem.

Navigating constraints: news values and journalistic role performance in Chinese state media VR news

IntroductionThis study explores the intersection of virtual reality (VR) technology and journalism, with a particular focus on the application of VR in news productions by China Central Television (CCTV). The research aims to assess how VR enhances immersive storytelling, the prevailing news values it supports, and how journalistic roles are performed within these productions in China.MethodsA content analysis was conducted on 234 VR news productions by CCTV, examining the use of immersive elements, the representation of news values, and the roles of journalists in the context of VR news.ResultsThe findings indicate that, while VR enhances audience engagement through immersive experiences, its application in CCTV’s VR news remains limited in scope. The technology is primarily employed within traditional journalistic frameworks, often emphasizing the loyal-facilitator role.DiscussionThe study reveals that immersive journalism at CCTV tends to support state-aligned narratives, promoting positive news values and limiting the critical engagement typically associated with more interventionist journalistic models. By examining the news values and the nuanced performances of journalistic roles in the context of VR news, this research contributes to the broader understanding of how emerging technologies like VR are shaping journalistic practices in authoritarian media systems, offering insights into both the potential and limitations of VR in enhancing audience engagement while maintaining journalistic integrity.

Satire Between the Lines: Negotiating Genre Hybridity in the Satirical Newsroom of De Ideale Wereld

ABSTRACT The proliferation of political entertainment has internationally produced a wide variety of news satire formats which blend journalistic conventions with comedic storytelling. This paper investigates the production of the Belgian news satire show De Ideale Wereld through a genre theory lens, viewing genre as enacted practice. It reports on 23 interviews with the show's hosts and editorial staff and a three-week observation period in its “satirical newsroom.” The findings reveal how the creators of De Ideale Wereld engage in an on­going negotiation of comedic and journalistic roles inspired by irreconcilable genre identities, embodying conflicting intentions located on different ends of the spectrum between comedic absurdity and journalistic inquiry. Furthermore, by adhering to journalistic practices such as fact-checking and news values, the show's creators navigate perceived limitations to the subjectivity inherent to their roles as comedic professionals. This article contributes to the limited understanding of the production of news satire and the implications of hybridity on the understanding of comedic and journalistic practice.

Study of the Framework and Attributes of Ethical Standards in Journalism

It has always been difficult to create fair evaluation criteria for journalists, especially when it comes to judging morality and ethical conduct in news reporting. These guidelines function as yardsticks for gauging the ethics of news topics and the objectivity of journalistic techniques. These criteria are becoming more and more difficult as journalism changes, especially in the digital age. Fostering ethical journalism requires an understanding of its categorization and internal structure. This analysis employs a conceptual framework to explore the evaluation standards of news ethics. The method involves: Literature Review: Examining existing academic literature, ethical codes, and industry guidelines to outline the prevailing evaluation standards in journalism. Thematic Analysis: Identifying and categorizing the components of evaluation standards into normative and quality standards, assessing their relevance to different aspects of journalistic practice. Case Studies: Analyzing specific instances where journalistic ethics were put to the test, allowing for a practical understanding of how these standards function in real-world scenarios. The primary objective of this study is to clarify the internal structure of journalistic ethics evaluation standards and highlight the distinctions between normative and quality standards. By doing so, the analysis aims to provide insights into how these standards can be effectively applied to evaluate news behaviors and moral character in journalism. What is deemed ethical in one context may not hold the same weight in another. This relativity underscores the importance of understanding the specific circumstances surrounding journalistic practices. Historical Context: The evolution of journalistic ethics is tied to historical events and societal changes. Standards that once sufficed may need reevaluation to address contemporary challenges, particularly with the rise of digital media and misinformation. Complex Internal Structure: The internal structure of evaluation standards can be multi-layered, with different levels of criteria applied depending on the context and specific ethical dilemmas faced by journalists. This complexity requires continuous dialogue and adjustment as new ethical challenges arise. Practical Implications: Journalists and media organizations must engage with these standards actively, incorporating them into training and policy development. By fostering an understanding of both normative and quality standards, the industry can promote a more ethical and accountable journalism practice.

Assessing And Mitigating The Impact Of Fake News In Nigeria

\The high rate fake news - news (presentation) that has been distorted or totally false - in the Nigerian media space is at the moment of concern to communication scholars, journalists, publicists, and political leaders. Like most fake products, fake news is made to look like or to have the characteristics of the original product – magnitude, timeliness, novelty, proximity, etc., thereby having the lethal impact of propaganda. The present study examines the sources, patterns of fake news dissemination, impact of and solutions to fake news in Nigeria. Questionnaires were randomly administered online to 398 heavy users of social media (257 bloggers; 97; regular users of social media who are non-professionals; 37 journalists and 7 others based on their followership ratings. The investigation revealed that most fake news in Nigeria revolve social, entertainment, and religious issues and are reported more often in “text” and “videos” on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The main sources of fake news in Nigeria are non-professional journalists and the high rate of fake news has largely been due to the skilful framing by their disseminators, lack of time and skill to fact-check fake news by the audience, and lack of effective enforcement of best journalism practices.

“Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi Wept”: Exploring Translations of Language, Practices and Story Forms in IsiZulu Journalism

ABSTRACT In multicultural and multilingual societies like South Africa, newswork, or the practices that underpin the news-making process, is made possible by linguistic and cultural translation. In other words, both linguistic and cultural translation play a significant role in contemporary journalism practices in South Africa. While the linguistic level is concerned about language, the cultural level focuses on para language, especially the practices around news gathering and reporting. This paper seeks to illustrate how translation works in terms of language, practices and forms of journalism in multicultural contexts like South Africa. The country is a multicultural and multilingual country meaning that the English media content in mainstream journalism almost always appears as a translation. When sourcing in a variety of languages and cultural contexts, journalists and other media producers have to translate at both linguistic and practice levels. The practice level is influenced mostly by the cultural contexts. Operating in an environment where journalism is conducted within a specific news culture whose borders are inscribed by the hegemonic English and western journalistic cultures, journalists working for indigenous languages newspapers like Ilanga newspaper, an isiZulu newspaper, undertake numerous “translation” processes in the conduct of their work. Central to the arguments in this paper is the idea that both journalism practice and translation are routine aspects of news-work in multicultural countries.

Ethics of Translation and Journalism: Truth, Accuracy and Cultural Sensitivity in Media Communication

There is a growing inclination towards the hybrid fields of translation studies and journalism practices as a space where journalism and translation coexist, or as a hybrid arena of textual production through translation. Because of the significant influence of media, journalistic translation has been viewed as a subfield research of translation studies. This is reflected in the use of terms such as transediting (i.e. translation and editing), news translation, journalistic translation and journalistic translation research, and journalator (i.e. journalist-translator). This perception can be understood in the broader context of how translation studies, several decades after its formal establishment in the second half of the 20th century, opened up to interdisciplinary research studies, and of the attempts to extend this scope to include contemporary media and communication studies by integrating the unique aspects of translating and utilizing proper methodologies. The application of this interdisciplinary framework requires ethical commitments covering journalism and translation professional frameworks.

Reshaping Sports Journalism Through Innovation: An Analysis of L’Équipe Explore’s Strategies, Practices and Output

ABSTRACT Sports journalism practice faces important challenges deriving from the multiplication of platforms, the acceleration of workflows, the emergence of new entrants and the audiences’ shifting consumption habits. In a bid to overcome those challenges and advance innovation across the board, the French newspaper L’Équipe established a specific unit for that purpose: Explore. By focusing on this case study, this research has examined the formats, output and practices deployed by Explore and evaluated its impact within L’Équipe’s offer. The study is informed by content analysis performed on the projects (N = 201) published by Explore over a 32-month timeframe (May 2021–December 2023), ethnographic work and eight semi-structured interviews with its employees. Findings reveal that Explore stands out as a leading “media lab” in sports journalism. Through a broad range of formats and a multifaceted agenda, Explore occupies a unique position in terms of delivering cultural capital. Explore embraces alternative production modes that invest in freedom and research while rejecting hyper-accelerated cycles and clickbait-oriented approaches. Such proposition has resonated with audiences and positioned Explore as a cornerstone of L’Équipe’s commercial strategy. Solutions articulated by Explore contribute to the broader discussion of how sports journalism practice can be reshaped in the digital age.

Digital Newsroom Transformation: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Journalistic Practices, News Narratives, and Ethical Challenges

Artificial Intelligence (AI) fundamentally changes journalism, yet a comprehensive understanding of its impact is limited. This study presents the first systematic review to thoroughly analyze the influence of AI on journalistic practices, news narratives, and emerging ethical challenges. A rigorous analysis of 127 studies selected from 2478 original articles reveals trends in AI adoption in newsrooms, changes in journalists’ roles, innovations in news presentation, and emerging ethical implications. The key findings show a significant increase in the use of AI for news writing automation (73% of news organizations), data analysis (68%), and content personalization (62%). While AI improves efficiency and accuracy, 42% of studies reported concerns about reduced levels of nuance and context in AI-generated news. We also identified the emergence of hybrid “journalist–programmer” roles (52% of studies) and the need for “AI literacy” among journalists (38% of studies). The most prominent ethical challenges include algorithm transparency (82% of studies), data privacy (76%), and accountability relative to AI content (71%). Regional analysis reveals significant gaps in AI adoption, with important implications for global information equity. This review highlights the ongoing transformation in journalism, identifies critical gaps in current research, and offers an agenda for future investigation. Our findings provide valuable insights for media practitioners, policymakers, and researchers seeking to understand and shape the future of journalism in the age of AI.