An Open Mind, Not an Empty Head: Towards Perpetual Waves of Newswork Ethnography

Abstract

Ethnography as a methodological approach to study the cultures, practices and routines of journalists has a well-established legacy that stretches back more than six decades. While key techniques and methods of ethnography to explore news production have remained in place, this approach had to evolve to keep up with changes to its object of study. This paper argues for the continued relevance of ethnographic methods in journalism studies despite far-reaching changes to so-called traditional newsroom structures and routines. As background to its central argument, the paper defines newsroom ethnography as the study of the culture of a people, in this case professional journalists or newsworkers. The paper takes cognisance of criticism against this methodological approach in an era where digital media technologies and the changes that accompany them challenge the very nature of journalism as professional practice. A study of Netwerk24, a niche-language digital-first publication based in South Africa, is used to highlight some of the enduring challenges and opportunities of ethnography. Finally, the paper argues for perpetual waves of newswork ethnography to help keep afloat explorations into the disruptions and transitions that characterise journalism today.