The complexities of convergence

Abstract

This article examines the spread of multiskilling in newsrooms, and whether such practices are enskilling or deskilling journalists. It argues that rather than a simple oppositional definition it would be more fruitful to acknowledge journalists’ varying skill sets according to degree and emphasis. It draws on an ongoing longitudinal study including interviews conducted in 2009, 2010 and 2011 with journalists, editors and their managers at three BBC regional newsrooms, where multiskilled work practices have been introduced more rapidly and systematically than in national newsrooms. The study finds that a variety of organizational strategies have been adopted to enable journalists to work across platforms including radio, television and online. Both training and experience are seen as important in upholding skill levels, as well as the need to avoid the ‘decay curve’. Nevertheless, innate ability can be considered crucial too, and may dictate whether a journalist remains grounded in one discipline. Despite a reduction in numbers, the heralded demise of the ‘craftsman specialist’ has not completely come about. However, the spread of multiskilling in combination with a reduction in workforce can add to stresses on journalists, and affect quality of output.