The study explores how young journalists understand their work, position and professional identity within the changing media environment. The project will be executed by theme interviews and case studies in three different working environments. Journalistic work is analyzed 1) in traditional news media, 2) in free lance work, and 3) in a new kind of media work that makes use of social media practices. In each working environment journalists who have less than five years working experience and are less than 35 years old will be interviewed. The total number of interviews will be 20–25. To deepen and concretize results gained by the interviews also a method of participating observation is used. The study concentrates on the working conditions, professional positions, and professional identities of young journalists. The project produces knowledge of how young journalists perceive the changes in their work and the future trends in journalism. The study started in the end of 2011 and it was concluded in the spring 2013.
Publications
Lehtonen, Pauliina (2013) Itsensä markkinoijat. Nuorten journalistien urapolut ja yksilöllistyvä työelämä (Self-promoters: The career paths and individualising working life of young journalists). Tampere: Tampere University Press.
Contact persons:
Pauliina Lehtonen
pauliina.lehtonen[at]uta.fi
Esa Reunanen
esa.reunanen[at]uta.fi