Newsroom structures as sub-systems of political organisations

Abstract

The lived experience of partisan newsrooms in the Maltese Islands was explored between 1996 and 1998, using participant observations and in-depth interviews. This study traces how political organisations, two parties and a tradeunion, set up media structures (newspapers, television and radio stations) to maintain and reproduce their hegemony. The study describes the selection and socialisation processes of reporters; how the political agenda blends with news-values and how journalists rationalise the tensions of their "profession" and political allegiance. The role-relationships between journalists and politicians are described and interpreted, both when media are instruments of opposition and when they elevate the goals of governing parties. It also depicts how reporters adjust to partisan exigencies following an ephemeral editorial line. While reporters pertain to rival political camps, on the news beat they adopt coping strategies which include a system of mutual assistance cutting across party lines. Although most partisan reporters are "missionaries" rather than careerists, the increase of graduates increased reference to the ideology of professionalism. Partisan journalists are mainly political instruments, however they have substantial lower participant-power; being identified with hegemonic organisations they enjoy a considerable status. At times they obtain formal power by contesting for party posts or elections.