Playing a crusader role or just playing by the rules? Role conceptions and role inconsistencies among environmental journalists

Abstract

Environmental journalists have historically struggled between journalistic objectivity and environmental advocacy. But the roles they embrace are based not only on their individual conceptions but also on their perceptions of what their organizations expect from them. Thus, journalistic role conceptions are the melding of individual and organizational role conceptions. These roles do not always correspond, especially for environmental journalists who must compete for space and attention with more sensational and more accessible political, crime or entertainment stories that organizations in search for profit might prioritize. This study finds that such role inconsistencies exist and are influenced by both individual and organizational factors.

Watchdogs, Advocates and Adversaries: Journalists’ Relational Role Conceptions in Asylum Reporting

“…This is problematic because several recent studies have indicated that the actual role performance of journalists often differs from their role conceptions, as stated in surveys, interviews and codes of conduct (Mellado et al, 2017;Tandoc et al, 2013). Moreover, research has long recognised that journalists regularly face conflicting expectations from their surrounding environment and must find ways to negotiate between and combine multiple roles in their work (Hanitzsch & Vos, 2018;Hellmueller & Mellado, 2015;Kramp & Weichert, 2014;Rosten, 1937;Tandoc & Takahashi, 2014).…”

“…Journalists perform a particular role in social interaction wherein "they anticipate the consequences of their reporting to others and the social context" (Hellmueller & Mellado, 2015, p. 6). This perspective adds a fair amount of malleability, negotiability and context-dependence to journalistic roles (Tandoc & Takahashi, 2014). Journalists may both perceive and enact their roles quite differently according to the topic they are covering, the kind of sources they are engaged with when reporting on the issue and the perceptions they have about the broader societal context.…”

“…Thus far, the social-interactionist theorisation on journalistic roles has largely failed to inform empirical studies of journalistic practices (see, however, Tandoc & Takahashi, 2014). Therefore, aside from generally cited observations about the impact of key reference groups and working contexts on journalists' role conceptions, there is a dearth of knowledge about how journalists actually negotiate their roles when engaged in reporting.…”

“…At times, these role conceptions veered towards pro-refugee activism and a political advocacy role, which emphasises the intent of journalists to actively influence audiences and their opinions (Donsbach & Patterson, 2004;Statham, 2007;Tandoc & Takahashi, 2014). One journalist, working for a national television network, expressed frustration with the increasingly restrictive asylum policy and the general incapacity of those in opposition to do anything about it.…”

Journalists and Communicators' Perceptions of Their Graduate Training in Environmental Reporting: An Application of Knowledge-Based Journalism Principles

“…This extant research highlights shortcomings in the reporting, such as lack of accuracy in scientific reporting, bias in the use of sources, struggles in balancing objectivity and advocacy, and the individual and structural factors that affect the reporting (Palen, 1999;Detjen et al, 2000;Sachsman et al, 2005;Crow and Stevens, 2012;Tandoc and Takahashi, 2014b). In addition, environmental and science reporters are experiencing changes in their perceived societal roles, especially within online news production (Fahy and Nisbet, 2011;Tandoc and Takahashi, 2014b). Fahy and Nisbet (2011) suggest that science journalists should take on the roles of knowledge brokers or information curators to differentiate themselves from other information producers (e.g., blog writers, scientists, and public relations professionals).…”