Welcome to Bridgetown: Bridging the Gaps Between the Worlds of Professional and Citizen Journalism

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Date

2018

Authors

Clements-Housser, Keegan

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

This study utilizes critical discourse analysis (CDA) to examine the opportunities and threats to the discursive values of professional journalism inherent in collaborating with citizen journalists, as well as areas of complementation and overlap in the value systems and practice of professional and citizen journalists. This is accomplished through a qualitative-dominant mixed-method approach utilizing semi-structured qualitative interviews with authoritative representatives of professional newsrooms throughout Oregon, California, and Washington (n = 11) supported by a Web-based survey of adults aged 18 and over residing in those states (n = 362). This study reveals that, while there is minimal overlap in discursive values between professional and citizen journalism, there are several areas of complementation between the two journalistic traditions in both theory and practice. Additionally, this study indicates strong public interest in participating in the journalistic process, as well as strong public interest in journalistic models that include content produced by both professional and citizen journalists.

Description

132 pages

Keywords

Critical discourse analysis, Discursive values, Citizen journalism, Objectivity, Participation, Collaboration

Citation