Introduction to the Journalistic I: Mediating Subjectivity in Contemporary Journalism Practices

This special issue aims to (re)assess the implications of the renewed currency of various expressions of the journalist’s “mediating subjectivity” for journalism as a meaning-making and creative practice; for journalistic truth/storytelling; and for audience engagement. The central theme is explored across 17 contributions that collectively demonstrate conceptual, methodological and geographical diversity, addressing different notions of subjectivity. First, three articles map the terrain of the journalistic “I” through concept development, grounded in both philosophical and empirical approaches, while drawing on different theoretical perspectives and offering practical insights. Second, five empirical studies further explore questions of epistemology and ethics concerning journalistic subjectivity, and the boundary work involved, applied to different domains, genres, and fields. Next, five additional contributions shift the focus to identity politics and social justice across sociocultural contexts, highlighting subjectivity’s transformative potential to foster solidarity and democratic participation. Finally, four articles explore contemporary (re)configurations of journalistic subjectivity and audience engagement in the digital media era. Together, the contributions in this special issue demonstrate that the contemporary “journalistic I” functions as a key site where broader, transnational renegotiations of journalistic epistemology, professional identity and public engagement are taking shape in response to shifting technological, cultural and professional conditions.