Commenters as political actors infringing on the field of journalism. (11th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wolfgang, J. David
• Is Part Of: Journalism studies. Volume 20:Number 8(2019)
• Page Start: 1149
• Page End: 1166
• Publication Date: 2019-06-11
• Subjects: journalism -- online comments -- field theory -- media sociology -- political communication -- public discourse; Journalism -- Periodicals; 070.4
• DOI: 10.1080/1461670X.2018.1493949
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-670X

Abstract

Abstract : Journalists see online commenters as outsiders who are a potential threat to the reputation and legitimacy of professional journalism. But should commenters be seen as potential new journalistic agents, or are they serving a political role? This study uses field theory to consider how online commenters at one large news organization engage in promoting ideology and how journalists respond. Commenters see themselves as the duty-bound defenders of political perspectives rarely seen in media. Journalists see this as a threat to their profession. The potential political role for the online commenter in journalism is discussed.