How does subjective journalism work? Perceptions and effects of an alternative form of journalism among young media users
By Janis Brinkmann | Against the backdrop of an integrative conceptual framework, this article examines the perceptual and impact potential that explicitly subjective journalism holds for young audiences. In two experiments, a total of 273 young media users aged 17 to 28 were shown both traditional and explicitly subjective reportages on the same topic. This was followed by a standardized online survey and in-depth semi-structured interviews. The findings show that subjective journalism is perceived as more narrative and emotionally engaging, but also as less informative, less reflective, less relevant, more in need of explanation, and less critical than more objective forms. In addition, young media users identify opinions and attitudes more clearly. They would like to see more subjective content and would also comment on it more often on social media, which points to the participatory potential of subjective journalism.