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Much of the discussion at the AEJMC annual conference has focused on user-generated content (UGC) and how journalists should adapt to this changing environment.

Jane Singer from the University of Central Lancashire is one of the leading researchers in this area.  She talked about how online created a shared space, whereas print was largely a space controlled by journalists.

Her most recent research looked at the attitudes of journalists at The Guardian in the UK to UGC and the ethical concerns raised by publishing content from the public alongside professionally produced material.

Singer found that journalists at The Guardian felt powerless to assess credibility of material from users. This meant that they saw users as potentially posing a challenge to journalistic authority.

They were also worried that UGC could erode the professional autonomy of journalists. The worry was that editorial decisions would be affected by the number of clicks or comments a story received.

Even though there were no signs that this was happening, Singer said the journalists didn’t want to be seen as “traffic whores”.

In terms of accountability, journalists felt that while they had to own up to their own mistakes, users could hide behind anonymity.

Singer explained that the journalists did value contributions from users. And, compared to other news outlets, Guardian journalists did engage with comments and participate in the conversation.

What they are wrestling with the relationship ethics with users, with concerns about authenticity, autonomy and accountability. Singer found that journalist respond based on existing professional values, rather than thinking about how these well-established norms might need to change.

Other studies have found similar approaches in newsrooms, as journalists struggle with whether and how traditional values might need to change as journalism operates in a shared space online.