Responding to “Fake News”: Journalistic Perceptions of and Reactions to a Delegitimising Force

Abstract

The “fake news” phenomenon has permeated academic scholarship and popular debate since the 2016 US presidential election. Much has been written on the circulation of “fake news” and other forms of mis- and disinformation online. Despite its ongoing proliferation, less effort has been made to better understand the work of those engaged in daily news production—journalists themselves. Funded by the Australian Research Council project Journalism Beyond the Crisis, this study investigates how journalists perceive and respond to this phenomenon at a time when the industry has come under significant attack, and trust in news media has fallen globally. To do so, it draws on in-depth interviews with journalists in Australia and the UK, providing topical insights on their perceptions of and reactions to this profoundly delegitimising force. While on one hand, our findings show journalists expressing significant concern about the rise of “fake news,” they also proactively seek—and, in some cases, implement—deliberate counterstrategies to defend their profession. These strategies range from discursive means—such as stressing and re-asserting journalists’ professional authority and legitimacy—to tangible measures at an organisational level, including newsroom diversity and increased transparency in the news production process.

Disinformation, media literacy and journalism: proposals from journalists in Portugal

“…Em um cenário mediático em transformação, em que é crescente a desconfiança dos cidadãos nos media, os jornalistas tomaram consciência sobre as necessidades e as possibilidades de resistir, tornando-se defensores de seu campo (Jaakkola, 2022). Estudos mostram que os jornalistas estão preocupados com o fenómeno da desinformação e que percebem que a circulação de desinformação nas redes sociais modifica suas rotinas profissionais (Schapals & Bruns, 2022;Rodríguez & Jiménez, 2021). Ao mesmo tempo, eles passaram a implementar medidas para proteger e legitimar a profissão, incluindo a reafirmação discursiva da sua autoridade e importância para a democracia e o recurso a um "pânico moral" em torno do fenômeno da desinformação (Farkas, 2023;Carlson, 2020).…”

“…Ao mesmo tempo, eles passaram a implementar medidas para proteger e legitimar a profissão, incluindo a reafirmação discursiva da sua autoridade e importância para a democracia e o recurso a um "pânico moral" em torno do fenômeno da desinformação (Farkas, 2023;Carlson, 2020). Além disso, também como resposta a estes fenómenos, jornalistas e media buscam aumentar os níveis de transparência dos processos editoriais; reforçar e adaptar normas e práticas de reportagem; reafirmar a ética da a profissão e as regras deontológicas do jornalismo e realizar coberturas mais diversificadas nos meios de comunicação social (Macaraig & Hameleers, 2022;Renedo-Farpón, Canavilhas & Díez-Garrido, 2023;Schapals & Bruns, 2022). Por outro lado, recorrem a parcerias, projetos, visitas a escolas, em um movimento pela literacia mediática (Jaakkola, 2022).…”

An Interweaving of Influences: How the Digital Environment Redefines Journalism

“…Many of the peripheral actors have not only successfully challenged the authority of the mainstream legacy media but have also carved out a niche on the map of information storytellers of our time (Schapals 2022). The growing influence of actors who may not fit traditional definitions of journalists, but who participate in processes that produce journalism, are part of the field (Tandoc Jr. 2019).…”

“…These direct contacts, public discrediting, and harassment reveal the changed relationship between audiences and the news media. The latter are now present online and expected to connect with people; therefore, they are easy to approach, which might weaken their authority (Ross Arguedas et al 2022;Schapals and Bruns 2022;Toff et al 2021). The news media are by no means seen as the only institution holding the truth; people can seek and find their own truths through their online networks (Carlson 2015;Waisbord 2018).…”

“…In general, journalists seem to have significant trust in journalistic values and practices, which are used to justify their role in society. When facing challenges, the news media are seen as capable of becoming stronger if they maintain their professional values and show this to their audiences in a transparent manner (e.g., Ross Arguedas et al 2022;Schapals and Bruns 2022). In the Finnish context, these professional values relate especially to journalism's ethics and the strong system of self-regulation that the news media sustain (see Julkisen sanan neuvosto JSN, 2013JSN, /2011.…”