The Coronavirus Pandemic as a Critical Moment for Digital Journalism: Introduction to Special Issue: Covering Covid-19: The Coronavirus Pandemic as a Critical Moment for Digital Journalism

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.