Youth Mass Media in the Digital Era: The Problem of Identity and Self-Presentation

Abstract

This article considers the features of a modern young journalist’s work when he / she uses digital media. The student journalists’ work shows the formation of multi-identity (or poly-identity) as a way of a journalist’s self-presentation. A modern young journalist is not rigidly attached to one media; the digital format makes it possible to work in various media, combining the placement of information in electronic form. The transition of the media to digital formats has made it possible to work efficiently and get rid of the border between a professional and non-professional journalism; anyone can post information in modern media using websites, special mobile applications and other means. In order to analyze the multifunctional (poly-functional) self-identification of a modern young journalist, a study of journalist students was conducted. Interviews and surveys were used, as well as an initial questionnaire, which made it possible to identify the most promising students for further study. The research has fixed that in digital reality, a journalist is not fixed in one media, his / her work is favorably distinguished by the ability to generate and select content for several media. In a number of media outlets, such as radio and television, the journalist is required to be present at the location of the recording / video recording, but in most modern mass media the generation of content is in no way connected with the presence of the media in the location. As a result, the phenomenon of the journalist’s vague self-identification arises: a journalist simultaneously runs several projects, participates in various mass media, and finds it difficult to answer the question of who he / she works and what he / she does. without a permanent job and a fixed range of responsibilities. He / she cannot articulate clearly his / her identity without a permanent job and a fixed range of responsibilities.
 Keywords: Digital media, youth media, self-identification, digital journalist