On the values guiding the French practice of journalism: Interviews with thirteen war correspondents

Boudana, Sandrine

doi:10.1177/1464884909360921

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Objectivity has been dismissed not only as an unattainable standard but also as an undesirable norm (Boudana, 2011). Other synonymous concepts like 'fairness', "balance", "accuracy", "detachment", "impartiality" or "truth" are used to define and (re-) legitimize media practitioners' practices (Deuze, 2005;Bennette, 2003;Tumber & Prentoulis, 2003;Boudana, 2010) On the other side of the debate, scholars (Schudson, 1978;Gans, 1979) argue that objectivity emerged and developed as a means of attaining journalistic credibility. Objectivity may not be possible but that does not mean one should not strive for it, or redefine it in such a way that it in fact becomes possible (Ryan, 2001).…”

Section: Objectivity In Wartime Journalismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In wartime, there are always complex relations between journalism and patriotism in which objectivity and conventional journalistic standards are often skewed to serve partisan ends (Kellner, 2008). Boudana (2010) interviewed 13 French war correspondents about their guiding values and concludes that objectivity is rejected as either an unattainable standard or an undesirable norm. Instead most journalists take accuracy and fairness as criteria to evaluate journalistic performance.…”

Section: Objectivity In Wartime Journalismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity in war reporting

Zhang

2014

Asian Journal of Communication

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China plays an increasing role in the wars and conflicts around the world with its expanding political and economic interests overseas, and its diplomatic role in international affairs. More and more Chinese journalists go to the frontlines overseas to cover distant conflicts for domestic audiences. Based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with sixteen Chinese correspondents who have covered conflicts outside China, this study examines Chinese journalists' perceptions and reflections on objectivity in the war zones. The author adopts a term of Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity to mean that objectivity is a convenient approach for Chinese journalists to do war journalism in the field. At the level of objectivity-as-avalue, objectivity is defined as a pragmatic value and a practical ritual for Chinese journalists to do news within the scope they can reach, to protect themselves from criticisms, and to justify their version of the truth. It promotes allegiance and patriotism. At the level of objectivity-as-a-practice, objectivity in war coverage is compromised by China's foreign policies, military constraints, the press's political orientations and editorial polices, and journalists' personal experiences and values. Chinese journalists use Chinese-style objectivity to negotiate their roles in the power struggle with the state, foreign militaries, the newsroom and journalists.

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Section: Objectivity In Wartime Journalismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Objectivity In Wartime Journalismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity in war reporting

Zhang

2014

Asian Journal of Communication

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“…There are three female journalists in the sample. This male/female disparity proves that 'the war correspondence field is characterized by male dominance' (Boudana, 2010).…”

Section: Demographic Characteristics and Motivationsmentioning

confidence: 76%

The new breed of Chinese war correspondents: Their motivations and roles, and the impact of digital technology

Zhang

2013

Media, War & Conflict

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The reporting of international news in China has changed significantly in recent years. Since the late 1990s, driven by the demands of the domestic market, the growing financial strengths of national and metropolitan news organizations, the availability of digital technology, and the state's strategy of enhancing soft power and making China's voice heard in the global arena, more and more Chinese correspondents travel to war and conflict zones abroad to report and file news coverage back home -a rare occurrence in the past. This study examines a new breed of Chinese war correspondents arising from this very new journalistic environment -how they negotiate their changing and challenging roles by questioning their identities, motivations and perceptions, and how they reflect on their roles, and the use and impact of digital technologies such as microblogging. This article uses semi-structured in-depth interviews with 16 Chinese correspondents who have been posted abroad to cover war zones. The author finds that this new breed is neither traditionally Chinese in their approach nor western in their perceptions but uniquely pragmatic in negotiating a complex mix of identities, motivations, corporate influences and state interests.

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“…Table 2 provides a short biography of the 13 who agreed to be interviewed. It is reprinted from Boudana (2010).…”

Section: Vincent Hugeux Began His Career 25 Years Ago and Has Worked mentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Le spectateur engagé’: French war correspondents’ conceptions of detachment and commitment

Boudana

2014

Journal of European Studies

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Studies that measure journalists' detachment from the object of their investigation generally predefine 'detachment' as professionalism. This is challengeable when it comes to French journalism, which is rooted in political and literary traditions, especially in fields such as war correspondence. Interviews with 13 French war correspondents help us grasp their own conceptions of detachment/ commitment. The study shows that this crucial issue refers to the journalists' self-perceptions of their own role and place in society. Three roles appear to be close to the journalistic profession: the righter of wrongs, the storyteller and the educator. The first part of the paper examines the degree of involvement implied by each of these roles. The second part analyses the journalists' place in society defined in terms of distance from other actors: whereas political detachment is endorsed as a professional attitude, emotional involvement is considered unavoidable and sometimes mandatory. The paper examines the difficulties posed by these conceptions.

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On the values guiding the French practice of journalism: Interviews with thirteen war correspondents

Cited by 18 publications

References 13 publications

Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity in war reporting

Chinese-style pragmatic objectivity in war reporting

The new breed of Chinese war correspondents: Their motivations and roles, and the impact of digital technology

‘Le spectateur engagé’: French war correspondents’ conceptions of detachment and commitment

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