Legislators or interpreters? On the relationship between journalists and their readers
In: Media, Culture & Society, Band 19, Heft 1, S. 67-81
ISSN: 1460-3675
This article examines the relationship between journalists and readers in the Netherlands. Following a brief discussion about recent trends in the media landscape in this country, a study of the producers and consumers of four regional newspapers is introduced. The study used qualitative methodology involving more than 500 participants/respondents. The overall finding was that regional newspapers had a major public image problem. Journalists were perceived not to be visible in the region for which they wrote. Readers felt that the newspapers concerned were not sufficiently focused on providing good regional coverage. The newspapers attempted to be `all things to all people', a feature rejected outright by the readers. The readers' verdict appears to be related to the pecking order within the profession of journalism which accredits a low status to regional journalism.