On “Having Been There”: “Eyewitnessing” as a Journalistic Key Word

Abstract

This article tracks the evolution of “eyewitnessing” as a journalistic key word. It argues that three dimensions have helped establish eyewitnessing as a way to understand journalism—the eyewitness as report, eyewitness as role, and eyewitness as technology. These dimensions have functioned as different carriers of meaning about journalism over time, establishing a seemingly consensual understanding of journalism and journalistic practice while strengthening journalism's claim to authority in questionable circumstances.

Keywords:

• Eyewitness
• Journalism
• Authority

Acknowledgements

She thanks Larry Gross, the late James Carey, Michael Schudson, James Ettema, the now-defunct Freedom Forum, Rob Snyder, Marion Rodgers, Victor Navasky, Dan Berger, Linda Steiner, Sharon Black, and Richard Cardona.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Barbie Zelizer

Barbie Zelizer is Raymond Williams Professor of Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania