Spatial dimensions within hierarchy of influences: How re-conceived notions of space in networked societies impact Latin American journalists

Abstract

Local, national, regional and global networks of power intersect in this digital era, raising questions of how re-conceived notions of space in networked societies impact journalism. This study surveyed journalists ( n = 1094) from 20 Latin American countries to explore how spatial dimensions are influencing how journalists’ roles are perceived in the region, within the hierarchy of influences model. It identified the disseminator/informational role – a role traditionally less common among journalists in Latin America – as most impacted by the spatial shifts at the organizational level (geographic scope), social-institutional level (geo-cultural regions) and social systems level (social network structures). As journalists’ work becomes connected with extra-national networks, their perceptions of roles shift, with relevant consequences for journalistic practices.

Journalistic role conceptions and performance in the global south: A comparison between Egypt and the UAE during COVID-19

“…Work-routine challenges include information access, reliance on official sources, geographic scope of COVID-19 coverage (Joyce et al, 2022), technology-related challenges, such as Zoom meetings, open-source tools, working remotely (Hoak, 2021) and work values associated with new technology (Reese and Shoemaker, 2016).…”