A comparison of professional versus citizen journalistic roles: Views from visual journalists. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chung, Deborah S; Kim, Yung Soo; Nah, Seungahn
• Is Part Of: Convergence. Volume 26:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 226
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Citizen contributors -- citizen journalism -- citizen journalists -- journalism role conceptions -- media functions -- photojournalism -- pictures and images -- visual professional journalists; Mass media -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Telecommunication -- Periodicals; Mass media and technology -- Periodicals; 621.3897
• DOI: 10.1177/1354856518784022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-8565

Abstract

Using a Web-based survey targeting visual professionals, this study examines their professional role conceptions along with their views on emerging visual citizen contributors' roles. While participants' ratings of the two groups' roles were generally correlated within each group, no correlations resulted between the two groups with the exception of the civic roles. Further, visual professionals rated their roles as significantly more important for all five roles. When assessing views on citizen-contributed visuals, it was clear that participants evaluated them with a critical eye, expressing dislike toward citizens' visual contributions and deeming them a threat to their livelihood.