The current view of the profession of photojournalist in the digital 2.0 environment

Abstract

This study analyzes the critical situation currently lived by professional photojournalists. The 2013 annual report The American Society of News Editors says photojournalists, along with other visual journalists, are professionals most affected by cuts in the media ecosystem. Changes in the newspapers newsrooms, where traditionally the photojournalist had the exclusivity of the information image (Domènech et al., 2013), are outlining new routines and relations with the public, causing the redefinition of the job of photojournalist (Allan and Patrick, 2013). Moreover, the expansion of mobile technology allows any citizen to potentially become a content issuer, creating conflicts for professionals in the value of their images.

The objective of this research is to analyze the current situation faced by the profession of photojournalist in the digital context. To resolve these issues, this research applies qualitative methodology, through twelve in-depth interviews with leading photojournalists of the Spanish landscape. By analysing their answers a main conclusion is drawn: photojournalists are convinced that the profession will not disappear, and they also think that there will be new ways of working.