The relationship between gatekeepers and gatewatchers/gatecrashers in Malta today

Abstract

The news media landscape has undergone considerable change since the advent of the internet, changing power dynamics. This study aims to explore the relationship between gatekeepers and gatewatchers and gatecrashers in terms of news production and news consumption. It seeks to gain insight into the gatekeeping practices of both local legacy and digital-born news organisations, and finally to examine perspectives on how the relationship is expected to evolve in the coming decade. The methodology adopted was qualitative, employing a stratified sample ensuring representation by all populations under study, gatekeepers, gatewatchers and gatecrashers. Data was collected through 11 in-depth interviews using semi-structured interviews, allowing for an emergent approach. The data was analysed thematically allowing the findings to be compared and contrasted. The key findings of the research show gatekeepers, and gatewatchers/crashers, all play a part in Malta's news media eco-system, their roles ranging from competitive to collaborative, acting symbiotically, ‘watching’ each other. Gatewatchers/crashers provide a nuanced voice and have the potential to benefit society but dark participation, trolling and politicians gatecrashing can cause distrust. Fact-checking articles are needed to combat dis/misinformation and the future of news requires collaboration, and greater media literacy. Legacy media’s officious voice contrasted with digital-born’s more informal voice, which focuses on content palatable to younger audiences. The roles of the groups are predicted to blur and overlap in the future. The research adds to the limited research about participation in news media in Malta and identified scope for further research and well as makes recommendations for industry drawn from the answers to the research questions.