Exploring Journalistic Practice Outside the Mainstream: A Survey of Australian Travel Journalists’ Role Perceptions

Despite significant changes in mainstream journalism in recent decades, journalistic fields beyond the news have been little explored by researchers. For example, while we now possess a relatively large amount of knowledge about the professional views of mainstream news journalists, those working in non-traditional fields of practice such as lifestyle journalism have been ignored to considerable extent. In an attempt to contribute to a deeper understanding of such fields, this paper examines the role perceptions of 80 Australian travel journalists. By viewing travel journalism as a distinct field of practice which is affected by a unique mix of influences, the study identifies five dimensions of practitioners’ views. These relate to travel journalists’ views of themselves as cultural mediators, critics, entertainers, information providers and travellers. A hierarchy of the dimensions is explored, as well as some of the influences on travel journalists’ professional views