Reporting in the Age of Coronavirus: Alternating Between “Shoe-Leather” and “Slippers” Journalism

Authors

  • Mirjana Pantic Pace University

Keywords:

information gathering, newsgathering, reporting, shoe-leather reporting, shoe-leather journalism, slippers journalism

Abstract

This research used in-depth interviews with international journalists to examine the newsgathering practices they employed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building upon interview data, this study introduces the concept of “slippers” journalism, which accompanies working-from-home practices, suggesting that reporters primarily collected information for their stories online through social media, video apps, and other online sources. These circumstances prompted them to reevaluate the concept of traditional “shoe-leather” practices in newsgathering, emphasizing their relevance in times of crisis. Data suggest that although reporters embraced digital alternatives in acquiring news, they stressed the importance of being on the ground, as it allows them to witness events, verify information, talk with sources, obtain unexpected facts, provide comprehensive coverage of diverse issues, and understand the context of events.

Author Biography

Mirjana Pantic, Pace University

Mirjana Pantic is an award-winning journalist and Assistant Professor in Digital Journalism at Pace University, New York. She received her Ph.D. in Communication and Information from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2017. Pantic also has a Master’s degree in European Studies and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Communications Studies, both obtained from the University of Belgrade, Serbia. Inspired by tremendous changes in the media industry she witnessed while working as a journalist, Pantic decided to devote a large part of her scholarly agenda to exploring the impact of new technologies on journalism and teaching a new generation of students in the U.S. how to perform quality journalism in the Information Age.

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Published

2023-05-14

Issue

Vol. 17 (2023)

Section

Articles

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