The Journalistic Multiskilling of the Professionals in Social Networks

Abstract

Digital convergence favours the changes that journalistic profile is experiencing. This scenario increases the journalistic multiskilling in the creation of news. The crisis emphasizes this panorama, as mass media tend to reduce their newsroom staff, assigning new tasks to journalists. Moreover, the spread of the use of social networks also contributes to the modification of the journalistic profile, as they have to acquire new skills in order to use these platforms in an effective way. The aim of this paper is to know in depth the new tasks assign to journalists, and as a consequence, the skills they have to develop. We have used a methodology based on interviews made to different journalistic profiles. Results show that new skills are emerging related to: how to administer the interaction with the audience, how to distribute contents, and how to elaborate news.