Exploring Trust/Mistrust in Journalistic Practice: An Actor-network Analysis of a Kenyan Newsroom. Issue 4 (2nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wamunyu, Wambui
• Is Part Of: African journalism studies. Volume 42:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 99
• Page End: 120
• Publication Date: 2021-10-02
• Subjects: Trust -- actor-network theory -- actors -- non-traditional actors -- news ecosystem -- journalistic practice -- newsroom -- Kenya; Journalism -- Social aspects -- Africa -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Press -- Africa -- Periodicals; Press -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 302.23096
• DOI: 10.1080/23743670.2022.2026430
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2374-3670

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The entry of non-traditional actors into aspects of journalistic practice has been widely explored in scholarship, as have expressions of the public's trust in journalistic work. However, there is a scarcity of research addressing the construct of trust in relation to the interactions among traditional and non-traditional journalism actors engaged in news production. Through the use of actor-network theory and by applying qualitative case study design, this study focused on the nature of journalistic practice in a digitally disrupted Kenyan newsroom, and how trust/mistrust manifested itself within the actor-network of journalistic practice. Theoretical and thematic analyses established the social and technological actors that had joined the process of journalistic practice while four findings emerged addressing notions of trust/mistrust within the actor-network. These findings were as follows: trust occurs within an established routinized process; trust is enacted within a particular news media environment; new entrants in journalistic practice need to demonstrate value to gain trusted entry in the actor-network; and trust is engendered at institutional level but needs acceptance at individual level.