Five ways BuzzFeed is preserving (or transforming) the journalistic field

Guided by field theory and the concept of journalistic boundary work, this study seeks to examine whether BuzzFeed, a new agent in the journalistic field, is participating in the preservation or transformation of the journalistic field. This is carried out by comparing its news outputs with those of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournalism (London, England) Vol. 19; no. 2; pp. 200 - 216
Main Author Tandoc, Edson C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published London, England SAGE Publications 01.02.2018
Subjects
online journalism
Boundary work
field theory
The New York Times
BuzzFeed
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Summary:Guided by field theory and the concept of journalistic boundary work, this study seeks to examine whether BuzzFeed, a new agent in the journalistic field, is participating in the preservation or transformation of the journalistic field. This is carried out by comparing its news outputs with those of The New York Times based on the markers – or boundaries – that defined traditional journalistic practice, particularly news values, topics, sources, formats, and norms. The analysis found that while news articles produced by BuzzFeed are exhibiting some departures from traditional journalistic practice, in general, BuzzFeed is playing by the rules, which might explain its legitimation as a recognized agent in the field.
ISSN:1464-8849
1741-3001
DOI:10.1177/1464884917691785