The Journalistic field of the neighbourhood journalists: the case of immigrants' representation in the neighbourhood press of Barcelona

Abstract

Mainstream press tends to give visibility to immigrants only when problems arise. Through this visibility based on problems a virtual social identity is constructed and given to the immigration population. This identity is built on stereotypes and is not necessarily correct. However, the neighbourhood press of Barcelona, inscribed within the Catalan regional press’ own idea of journalism, offers a different approach to this issue due to its history, proximity and commitment to the region, and hence, the different characteristics of these journalists’ field where different capitals are sought and taken into consideration and different habitus are found. Therefore this press constructs and gives a different virtual social identity by using a differentiated set of frames. Through studying this mechanism the process through which this particular sort of press, and specifically its journalists, approach the idea of journalism was unearthed and its journalistic field explained.

La premsa generalista tendeix a donar visibilitat als immigrants només quan sorgeixen problemes. A través d'aquesta visibilitat basada en problemes es construeix una identitat social virtual. Aquesta identitat es construida amb estereotips i no és necessàriament correcte. No obstant això, la premsa de barri de Barcelona, dintre de la tradició de la premsa regional Catalana, ofereix, a causa de la seva història, proximitat i compromís amb la regió, un enfocament diferent a aquest problema i, per tant, les característiques diferents del camp social d'aquests periodistes fan que es busquin i es tinguin en compte diferents habitus i diferents capitals. D’aquesta manera aquesta premsa construeix i dóna una identitat social virtual diferent mitjançant l'ús d'un conjunt diferenciat de marcs. A través de l'estudi d'aquest mecanisme el procés a través del qual aquest tipus particular de premsa, i en concret els seus periodistes, s'acosten a la idea del periodisme ha estat estudiat i el seu camp periodístic explicat.