Surprised by Joy: Professional Roles as Emotional Facets of News Production

Research in the field often reflects the serious, labor-intensive nature of journalism; findings that would seem to reflect the understandable exodus from the profession. Equally profound however is that so many journalists stay. Building on Parks concept of joy as a news value, this study seeks to explore the ways that joy manifests in narrated journalism practice. Through in-depth interviews with US-based journalists (n = 20), this study finds that joy emerges through engaged practices and through service-oriented role performance. In this way, joy in journalism is not only experienced, but also summoned by journalists as a means to bring light to even the darkest moments of journalistic work. Professional roles then serve as an essential means for journalists to create joy, allowing for human connection that enhance journalists’ attachment to the field.