An Exploration of Independent Journalism’s Epistemologies: Enhancing Democratic Resilience in the Age of Disinformation (EDIT)

Lead-PI: Sarah Ganter, Simon Fraser University

Consortium: Mel Bunce, City University of London; Musawenkosi Ndlovu, University of Cape Town

Funders: NRF, SSHRC, UKRI

 

Summary:

Independence is considered a critical value of high-quality journalism in democratic societies. Simultaneously, independent journalists worldwide face physical, psychological, and economic attacks at increased rates. This project aims to examine how independent journalism enhances trust and democratic resilience (the ability to uphold the quality of democratic institutions and practices). The proposal posits that independent journalism is not a monolithic construct and its meanings, perceptions, and interpretations are highly reliant on specific contexts. Therefore, the project intends to gather data across four countries (South Africa, UK, Canada, Brazil) to identify differences and similarities in how researchers, citizens, independent journalists, editors, founders of independent news organisations, and governments perceive and implement independent journalism.