Online journalists in the Netherlands

Abstract

This article reports the findings of a nationwide web-based survey of so-called digital or, rather, online journalists. The survey results indicate basic, occupational and professional characteristics of online journalists working for broadcast and print media as well as online-only media. It focuses, in particular, on the question of whether it is too early to be able to determine the specifics of the new professional model of online journalism, following the proposition that the developments on the internet in terms of journalism – and more specifically, news on the world-wide web – have led to the formation of internet journalism as a separate model within the profession of journalism as a whole. One of the main conclusions from this study is that a distinct media logic for online journalists is emerging, the main characteristic of which seems to be empowering audiences as active participants in the daily news.