Mediadem| Journalistic Autonomy as a Professional Value and Element of Journalism Culture: The European Perspective

Authors

  • Epp Lauk University of Jyväskylä
  • Halliki Harro-Loi University of Tartu

Keywords:

journalism culture, journalistic autonomy, professional ideology of journalism, integrated media policynal ideology of journalism, integrated media policy

Abstract

The current combination of economic recession and info-technological revolution is drastically affecting the working environment of journalists and challenging their autonomy more than ever. This article focuses on how journalists in specific European countries perceive professional autonomy and analyzes the various factors that affect such autonomy. Continuity and discontinuity in journalism cultures are factors that can help us to understand the barriers to media independence and the occupational freedom of journalists. Periods of political and economic instability or crisis can bring about a break down in professional values, the loss of whole journalistic communities, and abrupt changes to journalistic practices, all of which have a detrimental impact on journalistic autonomy. Our analysis leads us to suggest that an integrated media policy should not focus solely on discrete elements observable within media systems and practices (such as ownership structures, public service broadcasting, etc.) but should also support invisible configurations of various attributes and practices (such as aspects of professionalization, ethical considerations, and education) that influence the journalistic culture and enhance the quality of journalism over time.

Author Biographies

Epp Lauk, University of Jyväskylä

Epp Lauk is Professor of Journalism at the University of Jyväskylä. Her research interests include media development in Eastern and Central European new democracies, the history and culture of journalism and its professionalization in national and international perspective. She is co-chair of the International Association for Media and Communication Research History Section and chair of the Estonian Press Council (ASN). She has participated in numerous nationally and internationally funded media and journalism research projects and networks, such as COST A20 and COST A30, European Press Markets and is Estonia's team leader for the European Framework 7 project MediaAct.Her publications include over 90 articles and book chapters and five edited or co-edited books

Halliki Harro-Loi, University of Tartu

Professor

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Published

2017-05-08

Issue

Vol. 11 (2017)

Section

Special Sections

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