Obsessive–Activist Journalists: A New Model of Journalism?

ABSTRACT

This study exposes a unique model of journalism – “obsessive-activist” reporting. Motivated by a strong sense of justice and a passion to make a significant change, these journalists promote their social or political agenda in both spheres: the professional and the public. In the professional, they do it through an obsessive and continuing reporting on the issue they care for, while in the public sphere, they are personally involved in activities such as lobbying and consulting politicians and bureaucrats, or personal assistance to individuals and groups in need. Based on a thorough review of literature on journalism models and on studies of journalistic role perceptions, and after a series of in-depth interviews with 17 obsessive-activist journalists, the authors suggest that obsessive-activist journalism is a unique model of journalism and the most interventionist one. However, unlike other interventionist models of journalism, the obsessive-activist journalists adhere most of the time to traditional journalistic norms and practices. While former interventionist models challenged mainstream news reporting from outside, obsessive activists hybridize it from the inside, adding new avenues to adjust and survive in rapidly changing news environments.

KEYWORDS:

• Journalism
• journalism models
• reporting
• obsession
• activism
• professionalism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).