The News Organisation

This chapter begins by considering how the macro level context of a news organisation such as media systems, market structures, and ownership models (commercial and public service) can be understood as explanatory variables for variations in practices and content. Next, the chapter ‘lifts the lid’ on the internal workings of news organisations to identify the ways in which both the internal structure and organisational culture of a news organisation reflect and promote its aims and objectives. The key concepts of socialisation and autonomy are introduced to explain how organisational structures and ownership power are experienced and understood by journalists. A case study of editorial journalism at UK national newspapers demonstrates how the aims and objectives of a news organisation are achieved and how authority is exercised in practice. Finally, audience analytics are explored as an example of change and the way in which autonomy is mediated by specific organisational contexts.