Ethical implications of key concepts and issues in current local media research

Journal article


Gulyas, A. and Baines, D. 2021. Ethical implications of key concepts and issues in current local media research. Ethical Space: The International Journal of Communication Ethics. 18 (3/4), pp. 7-19.
AuthorsGulyas, A. and Baines, D.
Abstract

This paper reports on current issues in research into local media and journalism and identifies ethical implications emerging from these investigations. It explores the key concepts of locality and community – and considers in turn six key issues: power relations; historical continuity/discontinuity; sustainability; local media gaps/deserts; a collaborative turn; regulatory intervention and subsidy systems. We find these explorations keep returning to the tensions between forms and models of local journalism which deliver benefit for the public and for the elites – powerful commercial, corporate or political interests. A journalism which serves public benefits, we suggest, facilitates and is immersed in the practices and processes of community. Research shows that, in some regions, local media are at a point of transition from a predominantly profit-seeking approach towards one which focuses on sustainable delivery of public benefit. But we find that on that point of inflection, the future of local media and journalism is finely balanced.

KeywordsEthical journalism; Locality; Community; Sustainability; Public benefit; Local media research
Year2021
JournalEthical Space: The International Journal of Communication Ethics
Journal citation18 (3/4), pp. 7-19
PublisherAbramis Academic
ISSN1742-0105
Official URLhttp://www.abramis.co.uk/ethical-space/journal/v18n3-4/feat2.pdf
Related URLhttp://www.abramis.co.uk/ethical-space/index.htm
Publication dates
Print2021
Publication process dates
Accepted29 Oct 2021
Deposited13 Dec 2021
Accepted author manuscript
License
Output statusPublished
References

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