News from an imagined community: Venezuelan journalism in the diaspora, professional identity and belonging

This article examines how Venezuelan journalists in exile contribute to the formation of a symbolic transnational community by preserving collective memory and shaping narratives of identity and belonging. It explores their shift from traditional roles as information gatekeepers to becoming cultural mediators who reinterpret meaning across dispersed populations. Drawing on qualitative data, the study contends that journalistic practices beyond national borders are not merely reactive but actively reconstruct a sense of belonging. These professionals utilize digital platforms to engage diasporic audiences, fostering connections that transcend geographical boundaries. The article posits that such media spaces function as arenas for negotiating nationhood and sustaining cultural continuity. Ultimately, it suggests that journalism in exile plays a strategic role in redefining professional identity whilst reinforcing symbolic ties among Venezuelans living abroad.