Journalism, Data and Technology in Latin America

Description

This book explores innovative approaches to digital and data journalism in Latin America, brought by both legacy media and newcomers to the industry, with the purpose of examining this changing media landscape. As part of the Global South, Latin America has shown significant influence in the promotion of data and digital technologies applied to journalism in recent years. In this region, news entrepreneurs are becoming an essential source of innovation in news production, circulation, and distribution. The book considers news media, particularly in Latin America, as an open set of practices intertwined in the evolution of technology. It discusses the transformation of the Latin American news media ecosystem and considers how it has shaped the industry despite local differences. The study fills a significant gap in academic scholarship by addressing the multiple external factors, mainly political and economic, which have contributed to the relative lack of studies on the patterns of journalism in this region. Acknowledgments Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables Chapter 1: Transformation of the News Media Industry in the Global South Introduction Innovations in Journalism Beyond Western Countries Global South: A Source of Inspiration for Western Societies De-Westernization of Journalism Latin America: From Colonies to Political Clientelism A Not-So-Distant Past Media Systems in Latin America A Set of Media Systems State and Criminal Violence in Latin America Limiting the Freedom of Speech and Access to Information Less Peaceful and Press Freedom From Legacy to Digital: Finding New Ways Back to Basics References Chapter 2: The New Praxeology of Digital Journalism in Latin America: Media Organizations Learn How to Walk by Running The Dynamism of Journalistic Practices Learning by Action An Interpretive Framework for a World in Constant Transformation An Overview of Latin American Digital Media Understanding the Praxis of the Latin American Journalism One Mission: Occupying Space The Challenge of Sustainability Innovating in the Practices to Adapt to the Lack of Resources Shedding Light on the Current Situation in Latin America Final Comments References Chapter 3: In a Search for Sustainability: Digitalization and Its Influence on Business Models in Latin America The Greater Incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies in the News Media Industry Business Models: A Constant Evolution Business Model Innovation: To Find New Revenue Opportunities Buck the Status Quo: From Ads to New Paths Improving Brand Awareness: From Traditional Programmatic Ads and Native Content to Social Listening Further Exploring the Content: Merchandise Sales, Affiliate Marketing, Events, License Creating Loyalty and Value-Added Products From Traditional Models to New Paths Membership: An Engagement Factor to Turn Audiences into Agents in the Journalistic Field Philanthropic Backing to Prop Up Media Organizations Counting with the Crowd: Crowdsourcing in Latin America The Importance of Foundations in Latin America Big Tech Platforms: From Competitors to Allies Tech Platforms and the Temporary Grant-Giving to News Organizations Education Initiatives and Events Sharing Learning with the Community Multi-revenue Model Diversifying Your Revenue Stream in a Time of Uncertainty References Chapter 4: The Strategic Value of Data Journalism Swiss Army Knife Data Journalism Realizing the Potential of Technology Awards: A Driver for Recognition and Motivation The Power of Journalism Collaboration A Long History of Collaboration Alliances That Have Transformed and Expanded the Practice Hybrid Profiles Boosting Efficiency and Effectiveness to Be a Single Data Journalist or Small Data Desks Leverage Standards with Out-of-the-Box Tools Open Data to Address Social Challenges Within Communities Bursting Bubbles Beyond Their Own Communities Conclusion References Chapter 5: Audience Metrics and News Decisions From Abstract to Real: Making Audience Present, Characterized, and Quantified Measuring the Audience for More than a Century From Analog to Digital: The Origin and Use of Web Analytics Web Analytics Services and Market Effects of Metrics on Media Decisions Metrics and Business Model: An Overview Watchdogs, Not Lap Dogs Metrics Are Like a Compass An Overview of Metrics in Latin American Newsrooms The Extent to Which They Provide Influence Toward a Growing Importance of Metrics in News Work A Great Step Forward References Chapter 6: Do You Help Us Make the News? A Discussion of the Uses of User-Generated Content by News Sites in Latin America Introduction Starting from the Basis An Understanding of User-Generated Content The User in the Center An Initial Appraisal Spaces for the User in Latin American Journalism Beyond the Numbers Not All User-Generated Content Is Created Equal When Users Tell the Story Notable Uses of User-Generated Content for Storytelling Particular Cases: Are These User-Generated Content? Noteworthy Efforts of Public Engagement Broad Strokes Mediation of User-Generated Content in Latin American News Sites References Chapter 7: News Consumption Through Social Media and Messaging Applications Nurturing Mixed Feelings About Digital Platforms When Social Media (Aka Facebook) Started to Look a Lot Like Casinos for News Publishers Finding Different Uses to the Same Old Platforms Social Media More as a Place for Engagement (and Attempt to Convert Readers into Subscribers) A Different Kind of Story Using Different Features from Emerging Social Media Platforms Like Instagram in Order to Engage with Readers Beyond Timelines and Newsfeeds Being Everywhere Diversification of Digital Platforms and Usage of Emerging Ones Beyond Social Media in Order to Engage with Readers Other Platforms: YouTube Other Platforms: Spotify Conclusion A More Strategic Approach to Platforms, Indeed, but the Dependence Is Still High References Chapter 8: A Challenging Future for the Latin American News Media Industry An Uncertain Future Finding New Strategies to Adapt and Profit in This Technological Disruption A New Technology Revolution A New Range of Opportunities Automated Journalism: A Near Approach to News Reporting Artificial Intelligence: Taking to the Next Level Immersive Journalism: Putting the Audience in the Story Wearables and Internet of Things: Toward a New Revolution New Practices Bring New Formats Fact-Checking: A Tool to Fight Disinformation Cartoons and Newsgames: Bringing New Audiences Collaborative Journalism Solutions Journalism Social Media Platforms Big Tech Platforms: Friend and Foe Adopting New Social Media Platforms Rebuild Trust with Audiences A News Workflow Based on an Audience-Centric Approach Engaging Communities: Crowdsourcing and User-Generated Content (UGC) Understanding the Audiences’ Needs Through Metrics New Players: Bringing More Diversity International Media Companies Becoming a Relevant Player The Arrival of CNN Brazil A Future Post-Pandemic A Path Toward a New Age for the Media Industry The Violence in Latin America: An Issue That Can Have Many Faces A Future Digital Revolution Influenced by Many Actors References Index