New Forms of Journalistic Legitimization in the Digital World

The ‘digital revolution’ is transforming the journalistic field. From sequential processes –selection, verification, hierarchization, presentation, fruition– journalism is moving on to a ‘despecialized simultaneity’ in which production, distribution and consumption are intertwined. These evolutions are modifying the legitimation of the credibility and authority of journalism, which historically resided in its capacity to guarantee a public service whose hierarchical nature was ensured by exclusivity. The operational procedures through which journalism built its reputation must be rethought to include citizens more. Participation and transparency become central principles, despite the lack of clarity as to which new practices will substantiate them.