Quelle Différence?: Language, culture and nationality as influences on francophone journalists' identity. (4th May 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bonin, Geneviève; Dingerkus, Filip; Dubied, Annik; Mertens, Stefan; Rollwagen, Heather; Sacco, Vittoria; Shapiro, Ivor; Standaert, Olivier; Wyss, Vinzenz
• Is Part Of: Journalism studies. Volume 18:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 536
• Page End: 554
• Publication Date: 2017-05-04
• Subjects: Belgium -- Canada -- francophone -- journalism -- language -- media systems -- professional identity -- Switzerland; Journalism -- Periodicals; 070.4
• DOI: 10.1080/1461670X.2016.1272065
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-670X

Abstract

Abstract : Canada, Belgium and Switzerland are multicultural countries with several similarities including having French as a minority language. The trio also shares similar media landscapes, systems and approaches to journalism to those of other Western European and Northern American countries. These commonalities offer an opportunity to probe for the possibility of a language-based differentiation in journalists' professional identities. Our comparative analysis of Worlds of Journalism Study data suggests that francophone journalists in our three countries have much more in common than not with their other-language peers. However, the francophone journalists seem more likely to identify with a politicized role that includes agenda-setting, citizen-motivation and scrutinizing power, and less likely to be driven by attracting and satisfying audiences. A différence francophone exists, but it is modest.