How Maltese journalists use the internet as a source of news

Abstract

This research discusses how Maltese journalists use the internet as a source of news while writing their news stories. This research applies both qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative part of the research included semi-structured interviews with Maltese journalists and editors to see how much they integrate online information in their writings. The interviews carried out are intended to learn the journalists' perspectives on a number of questions related to how much they say that the internet is a source of news for journalists. Quantitative measures include a research that I have conducted throughout a one week period to check how much journalists do actually cite online sources. Results show that journalists are constantly aware that online information might not be reliable and so they have to verify the sources or judge for themselves between online sources. Some journalists also highlight the difference between the traditional sources that journalists had before the internet came about and other sources that emerged with the internet. Since internet based sources put journalists in different positions in how they conduct their work, this research also highlights some drawbacks that emerge from internet sources. The results indicate that the internet changed the journalist's work as more journalists are spending less time away from their offices to get information as they are searching more information online.