ABSTRACT
The coronavirus pandemic has posed a range of unprecedented challenges for community journalism outlets, as the sector was hit with existential threat due to the economic impact of the pandemic and the logical challenges of reporting in a health emergency. Based on interviews with 57 community journalists in the UK and an online survey (n = 116), this chapter focuses on how community journalists adapted their professional practices and their roles in the community during the coronavirus lockdown. The closure of non-essential businesses led to a drop in local advertising revenues, while lockdown made the distribution of print newspapers more difficult or impossible. Although many outlets saw an increase in online audience figures, those that publish print editions were faced with logistical challenges that often halted publication or required dramatic shifts in practices. At the same time, many outlets changed the focus of their coverage, sharing positive stories about community initiatives and offering community-based solutions to citizens in need. The pandemic represented a profound rupture across all elements of journalistic practice, from reporting, to printing and distribution. However, community journalism outlets, because of their small size and agility, were able to adapt to the challenges and, in many cases, emerged stronger as a result. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, David Harte and Rachel Matthews individual chapters, the contributors.
ABSTRACT
The coronavirus pandemic has had a profound impact on all spheres of society, including journalism. It has brought about dramatic changes in journalistic routines and working practices, as well as in audience behavior. In this introduction to a special issue of Digital Journalism focused on the impact of the pandemic, we make the case that it should be seen as a critical moment for journalism–a moment of significant importance and reconsideration of past, present and future. This view of the coronavirus crisis as a critical moment can reveal multiple co-occurring, partially overlapping and, in some cases, also paradox developments: it can be (a) a turning point, (b) a transformation, (c) an amplifier, (d) a starting point or (e) destruction. The articles included in the special issue reveal the multitude of profound effects the coronavirus crisis has had on journalism in a very short time span and elaborate on the potential upheaval this may bring in the future. Ultimately, the crisis represents an opportunity to rethink the meaning and practices of digital journalism. It invites journalism researchers to explore new and innovative methods, as well as the reassessment of existing categories, concepts and theories. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.