Date of Award

2-2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism (MADJ)

First Supervisor/Advisor

David Muturi,

Department

Graduate School of Media and Communications

Abstract

This study aims to identify the challenges faced in successfully transitioning to becoming a digital journalist and the solutions to these problems in a way that creates a template or blueprint to replicate for other journalists. In chapter 1, there is the introduction and background which highlight these challenges including difficulties in having regular training about new tools and technologies. It highlights the struggle digital journalists face to understand their roles and responsibilities, especially in the context of the DME's own interpretation, the advocacy for good mental health and stress management support in the workplace and the complexities of flexible working arrangements such as remote work among others. The chapter also includes the problem statement and the objectives which are to determine the difficulties journalists face in their quest to succeed in digital media organisations, to identify the solutions to those problems as well as the skills and training needed to make them successful and to understand the barriers and difficulties faced by senior journalists and editors in ascending to management positions and how to ensure these transitions are successful. The methodology for the study is also presented in the chapter as well as the research questions, scope, rationale and ends with a summary. Chapter 2 contains the research questions, responses and findings of the study. It begins with an introduction and then delves on the interviews with focus groups and individual digital journalists who highlight the challenges they face in digital media organisations. It also breaks down the solutions to each of these challenges. Finally, it outlines the barriers and difficulties faced by digital journalists when transitioning to a management position and itemises what should be done to help overcome them. Chapter 3 contains the conclusions and recommendations of the project. These include developing a document manual that creates a programme to be used to induct and assimilate journalists into the digital environment and an orientation manual that highlights what new digital journalists need to learn.

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