A1 Journal article (refereed)
A future of journalism beyond the objectivity-dialogue divide? : Hybridity in the news of entrepreneurial journalists (2021)

Ruotsalainen, J., Hujanen, J., & Villi, M. (2021). A future of journalism beyond the objectivity-dialogue divide? : Hybridity in the news of entrepreneurial journalists. Journalism, 22(9), 2240-2258. https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884919867216

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Ruotsalainen, Juho; Hujanen, Jaana; Villi, Mikko

Journal or series: Journalism

ISSN: 1464-8849

eISSN: 1741-3001

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 22

Issue number: 9

Pages range: 2240-2258

Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd.

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1464884919867216

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/66205

Abstract

As pioneers of new ideas and practices, many entrepreneurial journalists spearhead the change of journalism towards hybridity. By applying appraisal theory, this article examines a hybrid of objectivity and dialogue in daily news articles by five entrepreneurial journalism outlets – Axios, MustRead, National Observer, The Skimm and the Voice of San Diego. For comparative purposes, a dataset from three legacy media outlets was also analysed. The results show that the entrepreneurial journalism outlets employ journalistic dialogue in otherwise stylistically objective news texts notably more often than do legacy media outlets. Dialogic registers provide subtle, non-partisan assessments of events and issues and make the news more informal. Such a hybrid form of journalism serves the functions of sense-making, establishing an interpersonal connection between ‘private’ audiences and ‘public’ news, and connecting journalism with fields outside of its core. By doing so, the hybrid journalism of entrepreneurial journalists offers a distinctive vision of the futures of news journalism.

Keywords: journalism; hybrid media; objectivity; dialogicality; evaluation; future

Free keywords: appraisal theory; dialogue; entrepreneurial journalism; future of journalism; hybrid journalism; objectivity

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2021

JUFO rating: 3