Australian regional journalists' role perceptions at a time of upheaval. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fisher, Caroline; Nolan, David; McGuinness, Kieran; Park, Sora
• Other Names: Nolan David guest-editor.; Brookes Stephanie guest-editor.; Wright Scott guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Media international Australia. Number 184(2022)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 105
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: local journalism -- regional journalism -- roles -- role perceptions -- role performance; Mass media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Australia -- Periodicals; Communication -- Australia -- Periodicals; Australia -- Cultural policy -- Periodicals; Médias -- Aspect social -- Périodiques; Médias -- Australie -- Périodiques; Communication -- Australie -- Périodiques; Massamedia; Communication; Cultural policy; Mass media; Mass media -- Social aspects; Australia; Periodicals; 302.23
• DOI: 10.1177/1329878X221087726
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1324-5325

Abstract

Almost 200 journalism outlets closed, decreased their service, ended print editions, or merged with other newsrooms between January 2019 and Februrary 2021, accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis. Regional news outlets were among the hardest hit, intensifying calls for effective government policy and industry interventions to bolster the sector. Although there is a well-established tradition of local and regional journalistic role performance scholarship, few studies in an Australian context have taken a multiplatform approach, investigating the perceptions of TV, radio, online news, and print journalists. To help address this gap, this paper draws on survey data of 307 regional Australian journalists and 31 in-depth interviews. Our analysis reveals differences in the way regional reporters understand and narrate their roles, highlighting important distinctions between media platforms that need to be considered in contemporary debates about the sustainability of Australian regional journalism.