Normative navigation in the news media

Abstract

Past models of norms in news reporting have been characterized by the particular geographical and historical, practical and theoretical context from which they have been constructed. This has limited their interdisciplinary applicability and, in the light of normative developments in recent years, it has become increasingly clear that we need a more contemporary explanatory model to capture current developments on both sides of the Atlantic. Such a normative model - drawing on the dichotomies of active or passive journalism, and deliberative or representative journalism - is introduced in this article. This model can be used as an analytical tool by researchers and as an operational tool by news providers with a need for a normative navigation instrument, and as such it may help create or reshape a common culture between two increasingly interrelated professions: news reporters and researchers.

Constructive journalism: Proponents, precedents, and principles

“…One of them, the Journalistic Compass (Bro, 2004(Bro, , 2008, was originally developed to delineate differences and similarities between traditional journalism and the public journalism that gained popularity around the turn of the century. This model incorporates two sets of journalistic principles.…”

Soft news i 2007-valgkampen: Balanceret, men ukritisk snak om mennesker i politik

“…Den klassiske "vagthund" kontrollerer magthaverne og er dermed naesten automatisk skeptisk indstillet. Det samme kan siges om "jagthunden", der er opsøgende og bevidst søger konfrontation (Bro, 2008). Hvad end man foretraekker, er der ikke megen plads til en "skødehund", der ukritisk bjaeffer politikerne efter munden.…”

What is citizen journalism? A critical analysis from the perspective of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation

“…Thus, the media provides a platform for the public and politicians to discuss ideas or issues and resolve disagreements. Bro (2008) suggests that most studies on the media, regardless of the approach they take, begin with a normative assumption that the media should serve the public by explaining current developments in ways that arm them for vigilant citizenship. However, differences emerge when consideration is given to what exactly the media is and what it should do so that it can serve society.…”