Audiences as Agents of Collective Memory – Implications for Press Criticism and Journalism Boundaries. Issue 2 (15th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zirugo, Danford
• Is Part Of: Journal of broadcasting & electronic media. Volume 65:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 270
• Page End: 288
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15
• Subjects: Broadcasting -- Periodicals; Telecommunication -- Periodicals; 384.54
• DOI: 10.1080/08838151.2021.1933984
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0883-8151

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Through textual analysis of Facebook comments on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation's (ZBC) page, ZBC-TV News Online and Twitter hashtag, #RIPJudithMakwanya, the study explores how ordinary people remembered the station's veteran broadcaster upon her death in 2019. This was combined with interviews to understand journalists' reactions to the commentary. The study argues that digital platforms now allow press criticism on a public forum, enabling citizens to form their own interpretive communities and police each other. However, political economy factors undermine press criticism's effectiveness in shaping journalism.