Key research themes
1. How has the transformation of journalism's professional identity and work practices shaped contemporary journalism history?
This research theme investigates the dynamic evolution of journalism from a traditionally stable and institutionally coherent profession to a complex, fragmented, and entrepreneurial field. Understanding this transformation is crucial to contextualize the historical trajectory of journalism, reflecting on how professional cultures, organizational structures, and work practices have adapted or persisted amid socio-technical and economic changes.
2. What are the historical and geographical variations in the evolution of journalism's normative ideals and practices?
This theme focuses on diversifying the historiographical understanding of journalism history by examining regional differences in the establishment of journalistic norms such as objectivity and professional roles. It considers non-Western and underexplored geographical contexts to challenge dominant narratives and provide a more nuanced global history of journalism's evolution.
3. How have journalism studies as an academic field and journalism education evolved to conceptualize the history and professionalization of journalism?
This theme addresses the meta-level scholarly engagement with journalism history as a distinct academic field. It considers the normative commitments, methodological pluralism, and pedagogical challenges shaping journalism studies today, as well as reflections on its historiographical expansion, the role of accountability mechanisms, and the articulation of journalism as both a profession and academic discipline.