‘We see more because we are not there’: Sourcing norms and routines in covering Iran and North Korea

Abstract

Based on interviews and newsroom visits, this study explores an epistemological hierarchy of sources and sourcing channels that differs substantially from the norms of more traditional forms of journalism. Two niche outlets covering North Korea and Iran are chosen for analysis. Because these countries are notoriously hostile to foreign correspondents, trustworthy news is often difficult to come by. Journalists working for these new outlets prefer digital platforms to firsthand observation, arguing the former are more capable of fending off misinformation prevalent “on the ground.” Also, there is extensive global collaboration that takes advantage of distance and time differences in order to produce more credible news about Iran and North Korea. Without having to worry about getting their access revoked, journalists can focus on issues that they consider important. Findings are consistent with what journalists have long known: It can be advantageous to see things with the added perspective of distance.

“Everything Has Changed, and Nothing Has Changed in Journalism”: Revisiting Journalistic Sourcing Practices and Verification Techniques during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and Beyond

“…This includes the role of specialist staff -such as the widely-cited 'UGC hub' at the BBC, or Channel 4 News's practice of employing Arabic-speaking staff trawling through social mediafor corroboration purposes and the use of open-source material. Although we only present anecdotal evidence for an increase of the latter, its use when reporting from far-flung, inaccessible places such as North Korea has already surpassed more 'traditional' newsgathering techniques (Seo, 2020), which again underscores the importance of considering the local conditions under which journalism is produced. The picture we paint in our longitudinal study on British journalists' perceptions of social media for sourcing and verification is one wedged between expressed enthusiasm and cautious scepticism.…”

Why the media gets it wrong when it comes to North Korea: Cases of ‘dead’ North Koreans in the Kim Jong-un era

“…Compensation for interviews also undermines the journalistic integrity of defector testimonies. Seo (2020) problematizes the news environment that seeks to capitalize on the defectors, who often lead precarious lives. This incentivizes defectors to give the journalists the juicy stories they are looking for.…”

Data journalism and misinformation

“…Journalists can also turn to international and accessible sources to extract data and reveal patterns in specific countries, for example by using satellite images and data to track a multitude of aspects relating to climate change. In relation to this, journalists have been developing online sourcing to include satellite images to detect and analyze activities relating to news events that may contrast with misleading official accounts (Seo 2020).…”