Twitter

A necessary evil? Journalistic responses to Elon Musk and the denormalization of social media

Dados Bibliográficos

ID7477804
AutoresAnnina Claesson (0000-0002-4114-2406, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, autor correspondente)
Ano2023
Volume25
Fascículo12
Páginas2604-2621
Data de publicação2023-12-10
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournalism (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1464-8849 • E-ISSN: 1741-3001
EditoraSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/14648849231221616
OpenAlexW4389568895
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas10
Referências citadas25

The normalization of social media (notably Twitter) into journalistic routines has been well documented in research, even as social media use sometimes remains a source of conflict with traditional journalistic values and norms. In 2022, after Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter, the normative implications of social media use came into sharp focus for journalists, as Musk ushered in a series of platform changes perceived as unfavorable for the journalistic profession. Focusing on the French media sector in 6-month period after Musk’s takeover, this study aims to explore what happens when journalistic digital tools are disrupted. Through a combination of semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and content analysis of French news articles, I show that Musk’s actions as CEO prompted journalists to question the broader legitimacy of social media as a journalistic tool. However, rather than abandoning Twitter entirely, journalists employed strategic disconnection in order to reconcile their continued Twitter use with their normative discomfort. These findings not only provide empirical evidence on the effects of Musk’s takeover, but also showcases how strategic disconnection can be used as a method of resistance to unwelcome influences in the media sector

Disconnection · Legitimacy · Media studies · Normalization (sociology · Normative · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Social media · Social science · Sociology · Media Studies and Communication · Public Relations and Crisis Communication · Social Media and Politics · Law