Abstract

This triangulated study combines surveys of readers of digital-native news sites in Latin America with focus groups of journalists working at these sites to explore how the emerging media sphere of digital-native media in the region might be redefining what it means to be “alternative.” Results show survey respondents were motivated to read the digital-native sites because of their alternative characteristics, such as media participation in the community, taking a stance against injustice, and their independence. Similarly, focus group findings indicated journalists distinguish themselves from mainstream media because of their innovative approaches to journalism, their independence, their participation in communities, and the stances they take. Ultimately, this study suggests that this trend of independent, online-native news sites does not fit neatly into alternative or mainstream categorizations. Rather, this study points to a hybrid, or mestizaje, way of doing journalism that is simultaneously alike and in contrast to mainstream and alternative media.

摘要

这项三角研究结合了对拉丁美洲数字原生新闻网站读者的调查以及在这些网站工作的记者焦点小组，以探索该地区新兴的数字原生媒体领域可能如何重新定义“另类”的含义。” 结果显示，受访者之所以愿意阅读数字原生网站，是因为它们具有其他特征，例如媒体参与社区、反对不公正以及他们的独立性。同样，焦点小组的调查结果表明，记者因其创新的新闻方式、独立性、对社区的参与以及所采取的立场而与主流媒体区分开来。最终，这项研究表明，这种独立的趋势，或主流分类。相反，这项研究指出了一种混合的或混杂的新闻工作方式，这种方式与主流媒体和替代媒体同时相似并形成对比。