Browsing by Author "Pather, Benedict"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    On-field: The response of South African mainstream sports journalists toward fan vlogging on YouTube during the 2019 Rugby World Cup
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2022-04) Pather, Benedict; Botma, Gabriel; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Journalisn.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sports journalism has not been exempt from the consequences of the digital disruption and continues to have to adjust to the invasive nature of new media tools in the hands of the public. While research on the influence of social media on journalism has been conducted, there remains a lack of research on how vlogging has affected journalism in general, especially sports journalism. A qualitative research design was employed, using a phenomenological approach as the theoretical framework, to examine the responses of mainstream South African sports journalists toward fan vlogging on YouTube during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Four media theories were utilised, which includes, gatekeeping theory backed up by field theory and technological determinism theory, backed by the theory of the public sphere. Interviews were conducted with reporters who covered the mentioned tournament. This was supplemented with a netnography for further insight. This researcher explored changes to work routines due to digitisation, possible threats to the profession and levels of co-existence between journalists and the interactive audience. Focus was also placed on ascertaining possible benefits fan vlogging offers the sports journalism field. This researcher found that fan vlogging on YouTube presents challenges and opportunities for working professionals operating in a dynamic ecosystem that connects new media with sports. A study of this nature is significant as it generates discourse around a cultural practice that is gaining momentum around the world, the global south in particular.