Technology and journalism-as-labour: Historical perspectives

Abstract

Technological determinism is common among journalists when reflecting on changes in their profession; several studies show that journalists ascribe great power and independent agency to technology. There are at least two reasons for the persistence of technological determinism as an explanatory factor among journalists vis-a-vis their own work: first, technology is a highly integrated and therefore very tangible part of the everyday working life of journalists; and second, the technological paradigm for explaining change in journalism has deep historical roots. It is argued that analysing journalism as labour presents a way to address both the integration of technology in the everyday working practices of journalists, and the history of the inter-relations between journalism and technology. It is further argued that journalism studies as a field has not paid much attention to journalism as labour.This article is concerned with the second part of this programme for research, i.e. the historical analysis of journalism as labour. The framework of analysis is based on labour process theory, focusing on four themes in the history of journalism: (1) the importance of the separation of conception and execution of labour; (2) the increased differentiation of the labour process; (3) the use of technology to increase productivity; and (4) the deskilling of labour.

Technological innovation and convergent journalism Case study on the transformation process of Bavaria’s public broadcasting service

“…Therefore technology -especially in studies on newsroom convergence -is seen as an influencing factor on somehow resisting or non-resisting newsrooms. "Journalism has always been shaped by technology" (Pavlik, 2000, 229) sums this up perfectly and provides a highly accurate interpretation of centuries of journalistic history (see also Ornebring, 2010;Witschge, 2012). Or it is investigated "how technologies of news production are in fact socially and culturally shaped and embedded within corporate and professional contexts and practices" (Cottle & Ashton, 1999, 22).…”

(De)valuing Intern Labour: Journalism Internship Pay Rates and Collective Representation in Canada

“…At for-profit journalism organizations, due to factors such as technological change, decreased revenues, and constrained organizational budgets, the processes contributing to precarious employment of white-collar editorial workers include offshoring, outsourcing, mass layoffs, and slower pay increases (Cohen 2012;Deuze and Marjoribanks 2009;Örnebring 2010;Paulussen 2012). For example, from 2001 to 2011, journalists' median incomes increased proportionally less than the overall median income in Canada and did not keep up with inflation (Skelton 2013).…”

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“…At for-profit journalism organizations, due to factors such as technological change, decreased revenues, and constrained organizational budgets, the processes contributing to precarious employment of white-collar editorial workers include offshoring, outsourcing, mass layoffs, and slower pay increases Deuze and Marjoribanks 2009;Örnebring 2010;Paulussen 2012). For example, from 2001 to 2011, journalists' median incomes increased proportionally less than the overall median income in Canada and did not keep up with inflation (Skelton 2013).…”