The Liability of Newness: Journalism, Innovation and The Issue of Core Competencies

Patrick Ferrucci, Gregory P. Perreault

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Utilizing the theory for disruptive innovation, this study endeavorsto better understand how working self-identified digital journalistsconceptualize innovation and perceive the impact of technologicalinnovation on practice. Through in-depth interviews with 25 digitaljournalists, this studyfinds that journalists often perceiveinnovation as market-driven andfight against its incorporation, inpart because their newsrooms don’t engage with the technologyenough to train them to use it. The authors argue that journalismas afield is not well suited to innovation and any implementationmust be thoughtfully carried out. Finally, this study concludes bytheorizing about how thesefindings connect to both industryand digital journalism studies research.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalJournalism Studies
Volume22
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Digital Journalism
  • Disruptiveinnovation
  • Qualitativeinterviews
  • Media Sociology
  • News Gaming
  • Engagement
  • Augmented Reality
  • Virtualreality

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