Accountability in social networks. Ever-evolving stylebooks and feedback through Twitter

Journal of Applied Journalism &Amp; Media Studies

Díaz-Campo

et al. 2022

In the current media landscape, accountability can be promoted through a wide range of established and innovative instruments. Focusing on the Spanish context, this article examines journalists’ perceptions of in-house accountability instrument effectiveness and analyses citizens’ knowledge and understanding of these mechanisms. A mixed-methods approach was employed: an online survey was administered to Spanish journalists (N = 228), and six citizen focus groups (38 participants in total) were established in several regions of Spain (Andalusia, Basque Country, Catalonia, Galicia, Madrid and Valencia). Findings showed that journalists’ evaluation of media accountability instruments is remarkably limited, scoring 5.82 out of 10 points in the highest case. From the citizens’ perspective, the overwhelming lack of visibility and relative distrust towards these instruments are revealed. This double disconnect from accountability brings to light the need to rethink and reinvigorate the existing instruments so they can effectively contribute to the goal of rebuilding trust in journalism.

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A disconnect in media accountability: Spanish journalists’ and citizens’ perceptions of established and innovative instruments at the organizational level

Journal of Applied Journalism &Amp; Media Studies

Díaz-Campo

et al. 2022

Instrumentos de rendición de cuentas impulsados por los medios de comunicación: percepción de los periodistas y ciudadanos españoles

Díaz-Campo

2020

RCom

En un contexto caracterizado por transformaciones estructurales y la crisis de credibilidad del periodismo, la rendición de cuentas de los medios adquiere una importancia central. Focalizándose en el contexto español, este artículo examina las percepciones de los periodistas y los ciudadanos sobre los mecanismos de accountability impulsados por los medios. Para ello se administró una encuesta online a periodistas, se celebraron seis grupos de discusión con ciudadanos y se realizaron 19 entrevistas en profundidad con expertos y representantes de asociaciones profesionales. Los resultados revelan la modesta evaluación que los periodistas hacen de estos instrumentos. Desde la perspectiva ciudadana, se subraya la falta de visibilidad y relativa desconfianza respecto estos mecanismos. Con el objetivo de incentivar la reflexión y la posterior toma de decisiones, se ha diseñado una plataforma open access que permite evaluar si los medios disponen de estos instrumentos clave para fomentar la transparencia, la autorregulación y la participación.

Bringing journalism back to its roots: examining fact-checking practices, methods, and challenges in the Mediterranean context

Moreno-Gil

2022

EPI

The rise of fact-checking as an innovative tool aimed at improving democratic well-being has become a transnational movement in journalism. In June 2021, the Duke Reporters’ Lab database features 341 such initiatives around the world, including 33 active fact-checking projects in countries pertaining to the Mediterranean or Polarized Pluralist Model (Hallin; Mancini, 2004). Following previous research on fact-checking in other territories, this qualitative study expands the understanding of how this practice is performed by four platforms of countries belonging to this journalistic culture: Maldita.es (Spain), Les Surligneurs (France), Observador (Portugal), and Pagella Politica (Italy). Through in-depth interviews with their decision-makers, this work offers a deep understanding of the structure, agenda, practices, and values, the role of the public, and the challenges that these organizations face. Normally run by small but multidisciplinary teams, the studied initiatives show high levels of transparency and a tendency for continuous improvement and professionalization despite their limitations. Following the example of leading initiatives in the USA, the UK, Latin America and Europe, the analyzed organizations cover a wide range of thematic areas and make use of the latest digital tools. They employ robust methodologies when selecting the content they verify, consult an extensive range of sources, and set various control filters before publication, which proves their commitment to transparency and accountability. Furthermore, they guarantee the right of reply and are widely open to public participation and broader dissemination of their work through mainstream media. From difficulties in accessing public information to scarcity of resources and increased competition, fact-checking platforms in the Mediterranean context face major challenges that have forced them to rethink their role and find new revenue streams. These organizations highlight the need to enhance the impact of fact-checking among citizens, journalists, and politicians and, ultimately, to go back to the roots of journalism.