News cultures or “epistemic cultures”? Theoretical considerations and empirical data from 62 countries | Culture and communication in digital worlds

Author(s): Yigal Godler, Zvi Reich

Year of publication: 2017

Keywords: Epistemology, Fact-finding, Facts, News culture, Objectivity

Methodology/Sample: Multiple regression analysis of survey data/18,248 survey responses

Reference: Godler, Y., & Reich, Z. (2017). News cultures or “epistemic cultures”? Theoretical considerations and empirical data from 62 countries. Journalism Studies, 18(5), 666-681. https://doi.org/10.1080/1461670X.2016.1266909

Abstract

In order to gain an understanding of journalists’ conceptions of what being factual means, the present work supplements the existing insights of journalism studies and the sociology of knowledge and philosophy with data about journalists’ beliefs regarding the importance of detached observation and reporting things as they are, spanning 62 countries (N = 18,248). In essence, our goal is to contribute to a future theoretical account of why journalists possess the beliefs that they do vis-à-vis truth-seeking and knowledge-acquisition. Data point to a significant relationship between reporters’ level of freedom and their conceptions of knowledge and reality. We discuss the implications of these findings for the debate about the possibilities of universality and context-dependence of journalistic fact-finding.

> Summary

The paper explores journalists’ beliefs about facts and knowledge across 62 countries, involving 18,248 participants.
It examines the relationship between journalists’ freedom and their conceptions of truth-seeking.
The study aims to contribute to understanding the universality and context-dependence of journalistic fact-finding.
It discusses the implications of varying journalistic practices on news quality and societal perceptions.
The research highlights the importance of detached observation in journalism.

> Problem statement

The paper examines journalists’ beliefs about the importance of detached observation and reality depiction across 62 countries.
It questions whether fact-finding is a universal human capacity or context-dependent.
The study explores the relationship between reporters’ freedom and their conceptions of knowledge and reality.
It addresses the uniformity of journalists’ conceptions of facts despite varying conditions of freedom and autonomy.
The paper highlights the implications of these beliefs for journalistic practices and the sociology of knowledge.

> Methods used

The study employs multiple regression analysis of survey data from the Worlds of Journalism Study across 62 countries from 2013 to 2015.
Exploratory factor analysis is conducted to identify underlying interrelationships among variables related to journalists’ beliefs.
A stepwise regression analysis incorporates variables correlated with journalists’ conceptions of knowledge and facts.
The research focuses on journalists’ stated beliefs about knowledge and facts as the primary unit of analysis.
The study considers structural, institutional, and work-related variables to explain variance in journalists’ beliefs.
The research aims to understand the relationship between journalists’ freedom and their conceptions of knowledge and reality.

> Practical implications

The findings suggest that enhancing journalists’ autonomy can improve their conceptions of knowledge and facts.
Journalists’ beliefs about detached reporting impact their ability to assess claims of power.
The study indicates a significant relationship between reporters’ freedom and their knowledge conceptions.
Understanding journalists’ beliefs can inform institutional arrangements to support their independence from external pressures.
The data highlights the importance of detached observation in journalism, influencing training and practice.
The research underscores the need for a universal approach to fact-finding in journalism.