Objectivity in journalistic cultures of Spain and Switzerland

Abstract

In this article we study the idea of objectivity of journalists within the journalistic cultures of Spain and Switzerland. To understanding this idea within the professional context we use the concept of journalistic culture that is based on the thin line between national culture and the universal concept of culture as a lifestyle. The first part of our empirical study is based on the international project Worlds of Journalism (WoJ), a quantitative study directed by Hanitzsch (2009). Secondly we present the qualitative study based on interviews of 39 journalists from different spanish and swiss media (press, radio and television). The objectives are to understand the journalists´ perceptions of objectivity in their professional work. Their ideas of objectivity help us to understand certain values and traditions in these countries. The results of the interviews (qualitative study) confirm what has been noted in the survey (quantitative study). However, we can see important aspects associated with interventionism that emphasises the results of the quantitative study.

Keywords

• Worlds of journalism
• objectivity
• journalism culture
• Spain
• Switzerland
• comparative studies