Action Research Changes in Local Journalism Projects : how to make it sustainable?

• My contribution to the proposed panel is focusing on the potential of using participatory action research to contribute to the development of local journalism both locally but also in various policy contexts. By making visible and adress what agenda, all involved parties is driving fo their own purpose, is it then possible to define a common ground to develop, in order to achieve substantial changes. Does this make it possible to achieve more  sustainable interventions on several levels i.e in a local working group, a community, an organization or at a public policy agency level? These different “power levels” are normally regarded as separated but can they also be regarded as a collaborative system?  I propose that this issue need to be discussed and problematized in relation to the question on sustainability of action research. Does intervention always have to be located in a clearly delineated action research project or are there also possibilities to discuss "systemic change”  and how different levels of interferences interact with one another? Based on a distinction between a pragmatic and a critical orientation in action research, which is presented in an article by Johansson & Lindhult (2008) is my aim also to initiate a discussion on whether a development- and action-oriented project design contribute to development and change of local journalism on more than one level - but also what ethical implications this normative stance may bring. This will be discussed in relation to findings within a Swedish research and development project, the Regpress Project II, addressing local journalism innovation.  Local journalism in general is facing economic difficulties such as rapid declines in revenues. However in some areas of Sweden local journalism in traditional sense is still strong and forming a dynamic local news ecosystem, where local media seem to have found a way to balance their role as trust-anchor during rapid societal changes. 

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Annan teknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Other Engineering and Technologies (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Communication

action research

social sustainability

media technology

Media Technology

Medieteknik

Data- och informationsvetenskap

Computer and Information Sciences Computer Science

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)