Dilemmas in dialogue-based journalism

Dilemmas

Working with dialogue-based journalism and having a closer relationship with the public brings out new dilemmas. Some of them are intellectual questions about the role of the journalist and journalism. Others are more concrete and related to the daily work and others again address the guiding principles for quality and independence.

It is worth discussing the dilemmas no matter what type they are. The dialogical approach to journalism uncovers a lot of grey areas and a lot of important things to consider.

We asked our students which dilemmas or difficult situations they met while working with dialogue-based projects, and they came up with the list below. We have arranged their questions in three categories and recommend that you discuss these with your students to make the them reflect on dilemmas, challenges and balances. We have also added some suggestions for answering the dilemmas.

Dilemmas based on student experiences with involving the public in the journalistic process

The role of the journalist and journalism

What do we do to tackle different meanings or perceptions of constructive journalism? (Our suggestion: Check the website.)
When do you become a social worker instead of a journalist? The line between a social worker and a journalist? (Our suggestion: You need to empathise with people in the community to be able to see the story from their perspective, but you should always be able to empathise with other perspectives, too. Try to not just identify with one point of view.)
The line between activism and journalism? (Our suggestion: Activism is promoting one viewpoint or solution to a problem. A journalist should include multiple viewpoints and critically investigate different possible solutions.)

Dilemmas in the daily work

When do you stop moderation? When do you tune out and stop being the journalist?
How do you keep a professional distance? (Our suggestion: Remain critical, ask for argumentation, ask the fact-checking questions “how do you know?” and “which evidence supports the statement you just made?” and ask your fellow journalists’ opinion.)

Dilemmas connected to the guiding principles for quality and independence

Should we only talk to the people who want to be engaged? What about the people who don’t want to? (Our suggestion: The people who don’t want to be engaged can be viewed in two different ways: try to persuade them with the argumentation of what’s in it for them and their community, or leave them alone because you don’t want to annoy them.)
What do you do when the engaged people are the same kind of people (echo-chamber)? (Our suggestion: Always search for a diversity of perspectives; actively search for people with different backgrounds and from different layers of society.)
How do you know that the input from the audience is correct? (Our suggestion: As a journalist you should always try to verify important information that a source provides you with. Either by asking critical questions or by checking with other sources.)
How much should we give the audience the lead in a production? And when? (Our suggestion: The short answer is that in the end the journalist is responsible.)

The teachers made a list with dilemmas regarding engaging the public in the journalistic proces. It overlaps and to a certain extent varies the students’ list.

Dilemmas in involving the public in the journalistic process. Teachers' list

How do we make sure that the community sees us as journalists – not merely as members of the community? (Our suggestion: It is important to be transparent about why you are in the community, and make clear that you will respect the rules set up by the members of the community).
How close can we get with the users without giving up the core value of journalism: serving the public not the individual? (Our suggestion: Find out if individual troubles are felt by other people as well. Do other groups have different experiences?).
Where is the balance between being a journalist and being a friend? (Our suggestion: Be transparent about your intentions).
What is the difference between being constructive and being positive? (Our suggestion: Don’t leave out difficult information; also describe the problems; make sure your reporting is balanced.)