If It Feeds, It Leads: Food Journalism, Care Ethics, and Nourishing Democracy

• Published in: Journal of mass media ethics Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 132 - 145
• Main Author: Jones, Joseph P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Routledge 03.07.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• ISSN: 2373-6992; 2373-700X
• DOI: 10.1080/23736992.2023.2228294

This project explores the ethical obligations of food journalists. Using history, normative, and feminist theory, I argue that if specific media is going to be considered food journalism, then we should be able to identify its service to citizens. This project thus seeks a unified view for evaluating the democratic and caring potential of food journalism. I outline some of the contours of quality food journalism - its principles, practices and forms - through both historical and contemporary examples. I show how both sets of food journalists adhere(d) to traditional notions of democracy-serving communication while also employing a more situated ethic of care. Ultimately, I argue that quality food journalists should adopt this care ethic addressing citizen-eaters, as this nourishes the relationships necessary for democratic worldmaking and gives us the best opportunity of collectively eating and living well.