Perreault, Gregory P., and Patrick Ferrucci. “What Is Digital Journalism? Defining the Practice and Role of the Digital Journalist.” Digital Journalism, vol. 8, no. 10, 9 Dec. 2020, pp. 298-1316.
This article is written at a level more appropriate for Ph.D. research than undergraduate courses. Its focus is primarily theoretical, and its in-depth exploration of terms and concepts is beyond the scope of my project’s focus. However, the authors provide helpful background information on digital journalism’s distinctions from traditional journalism as well as insights about how digital journalism will continue evolving.
Within the field of digital journalism, the term “digital” refers to more than how information is communicated or published (i.e., in print versus online). “Digital” includes technology’s continuous evolution and it offers “new opportunities to gather and analyze reams of data, to inform comprehensively, to investigate power, to engage with multiple publics, and to tell multi-sided stories” (Waisbord qtd. in Perreault and Ferrucci 1299).
One of the most interesting changes the authors describe is how technology has pushed organizations away from the traditional model of reporting, where a single reporter goes to a scene, conducts interviews, writes a story, gives the story to an editor, and then remains uninvolved throughout the layout and printing processes. Digitization has prompted a shift to team reporting (1311), emphasized the value of social capital, and “allowed new entrants to the field” (1299).
Following an introduction and literature review, authors Gregory Perreault and Patrick Ferrucci describe a study they conducted by analyzing qualitative data from interviews with 262 digital journalists about how they perceive their current and future role. Three themes emerged from data analysis:
Technology: Participants acknowledged that “all journalism is digital these days” but emphasized that true digital journalism is based on convergence—the use of many different technologies in simultaneously throughout the entire process (1305).
Speed: Journalists have always focused on being the first to report news, but the speed of getting and communicating information is even more central to digital journalism because of how technology has enhanced connection and communication. Participants also mentioned that technology allows anyone to break news and report stories by posting on social media (1306). One participant summed up technology’s impact this way: “I think digital has helped to democratize journalism, however, just like a democracy, that has its pros and cons. For instance, it has led to issues with determining what is and isn’t credible” (1306).
Serving the Audience: Participants noted that most people get news and information on their phones through social media, so communicating on a variety of platforms is an important part of their role, but it comes with challenges. They acknowledged the need to be accurate despite the temptation technology's speed presents to be first or publish immediately. They also discussed tension between what they communicate on social media as professionals versus private citizens. Readers/viewers don’t always separate those roles, which causes problems, such as making journalists vulnerable to cancel culture (1307-8).
While this article provided interesting context, because of its specific focus and technical language, I wouldn’t recommend it as assigned reading for undergraduate students or their instructors. I don't plan to use it in any of my courses.