Identity(ies) Explored
How Journalists’ Self-conceptions Influence Small-town News
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12908844 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Christina C Smith (Georgia College & State University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 5 |
| Pages | 524-536 |
| Publication date | 2018-11-16 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journalism Practice (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1751-2786 • E-ISSN: 1751-2794 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17512786.2018.1544849 |
| OpenAlex | W2900996626 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 24 |
| References cited | 22 |
Existing literature on community journalism suggests it is worthwhile to theoretically and conceptually examine journalists in small towns. These reporters and editors always wear multiple hats, including news worker, community member, and booster. Therefore, drawing on newsroom observations and interviews, and applying the interpretive lenses of sociology and identity theory, this study examines the self-perceived identities of weekly newspaper news workers, and how those identities influence their news production. Findings across three organizations show that for these journalists, professional identity is intertwined with personal identity as a church member or baseball coach. Simply put, these journalists see themselves as members of the community that their newspaper covers. Their interactions with friends and neighbors are also interactions with sources – and with advertisers. This sense of personal connection further serves as a key motivation to produce meaningful news for their communities, which the author suggests has served as a safeguard to declines in readership for many small-town weekly newspapers
Advertising · Aesthetics · Audience measurement · Business · Collective identity · Identity (music · Journalism · Media studies · News values · Newspaper · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Social and Cultural Dynamics · Social Media and Politics
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| Unique citing works | 24 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 4 |
| Citation span | 2020 - 2026 (7) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 24 |