Hot Metal, Cold Reality: Photographers' Access to Steel Mills

Access, Deconstructed: Metajournalistic Discourse and Photojournalism’s Shift Away From Geophysical Access

“…Much of prior research into the subject of access primarily examines the concept through illustrating how journalists, particularly photojournalists, gain access to land, both public and private (i.e., Bossen et al., 2013; Fahmy, 2005; Sherer, 1985, 1991). This current study’s first research question asks how journalists themselves, not the law, define access.…”

“…As is the case with most journalistic practices, the way photojournalists acquire access is “embedded in political, economic, and organizational constraints” (Fahmy, 2005, p. 147). While in many circumstances, it may be as easy as a photographer asking the owner of land for access, this process is becoming more and more difficult as people and organizations are “more concerned than ever before about the security” of themselves or their organizations (Bossen et al., 2013, p. 6). For journalists of all kinds, access remains paramount to relaying a full story to the audience.…”

“…Regardless, gaining access to private spaces often proves difficult; yet, it remains essential for an informed citizenry (Lester, 2015). Bossen et al. (2013) studied how photojournalists attain access to steel mills; they argued, without this access, Americans would be unable to understand the working conditions of a major industry.…”

“…Vos and Singer (2016), for example, found that discourse produced by journalists essentially socially constructed the journalism industry’s evolving definition and the practices associated with entrepreneurial journalism. This particular study aims to examine how photojournalists view the most important practice of their craft: gaining access (Bossen et al., 2013).…”

“…While it would not be ideal, a reporter can produce material through, for example, phone interviews with sources, but a photojournalist relies on gaining geophysical and personal access to produce photographic or digital material (Nowak, Holloway, & Hill, 2011). Not only is access needed for a photographer to produce, but prior research found that the amount of access granted directly affects the image-making process (Bossen, Freedman, & Mianecki, 2013). Therefore, photojournalists consider attaining access to people or places as one of the most important skills to harness (Zarley, 2016).…”