Publication details
Camera reporter. Peripheral news workers expelled to the periphery: The case of the professional behind the television camera
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| Year of publication | 2019 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
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| Description | The aim of our presentation is to focus on the role of camera reporters as peripheral actors in the station’s news production process; address their journalistic autonomy, culture, and practice; and understand the related changes brought about by moving to the geographic periphery and related technological changes that relate to making the camera reporters peripheral to professional broadcast news making. These explorations of local camera reporters’ workplace autonomy require focus on the location of the newsroom because of the close relationship between local journalists and the communities they serve (Abernathy 2018; Hess – Waller 2017; Waschková Císařová (ed.) 2017; Fenton et al. 2010; Nielsen (ed.) 2015). The spaces of journalistic production (i.e., the newsroom, media house) and their location can influence camera reporters’ professional autonomy, culture, and practice (Reich – Hanitzsch 2013; Deuze 2005; Lallement 2015; Tanggaard 2008). These dimensions are essential for maintaining a key relationship that impacts the journalistic profession (Hanitzsch et al. 2010; Örnebring et al. 2016; Metyková – Waschková Císařová 2019). Our case study focuses on one of the Czech televisions. Camera reporters working for this television recently experienced a disruption to their work processes and routines when the organization moved from premises in the city centre to a new purpose-built building on the periphery of the city. We see the move as an impetus for uncovering some underlying issues that impact camera reporters’ work practices and values, and that are difficult to identify and explore outside the framework of a disruptive experience. Although the new premises are taylor-made and the facilities are state-of-the-art – perhaps even ideal workspaces – the camera reporters perceive the loss of the central geographic location as much more fundamental. Underlying this is, of course, an overall shift in terms of professional work and its qualities – what is the overall place of specialist practical knowledge in news production? The case study involved ethnographic approach, interviews with camera reporters and news reporters from the same newsroom. This presentation focuses on the following research questions: (1) How does the change in the location of the newsroom impact the camera reporters’ professional autonomy, practice, and culture? (2) How does the change in location impact the camera reporters’ understanding of their role in connecting to/serving the public (a key element of professional ideology)? and (3) How do the changing material conditions and spaces of work impact the camera reporters’ autonomy and creativity? The findings show the importance of personal relationships in the newsroom. Respondents reflected on changing personal relationships among colleagues after the relocation, including the loss of informal relationships and the changing relationship of camera reporters (who drive cars and transport reporters on assignments) and the reporters. Respondents have no problem with the material conditions or equipment provided for their professional performance. Moreover, new technologies – which could be seen as empowering – enable TV journalists to not rely as much on camera reporters and this is an area that we identified for further research. |