Journalistic practices in the U.S. digital startup news outlets

A case study approach

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of a case study to determine the degree, if any, to which digitalstartup news outlets in the U.S. contribute to the diversity of social and political discourse. Viewingthese outlets as the successor of alternative media (AM), the study examines their journalistic practicesand considers how they contribute to creating the “alternative public sphere” that is essential to a pluralistic democracy. The article posits that journalistic practices shared by traditional AM and startup digital outlets provide evidence that both contribute to diversity of discourse. The author selected outletsrandomly from the U.S. East Coast and collected data via questionnaires and open-ended interviews.The data show some practices duplicate those of AM and suggest a measurable contribution to the diversity of civic discourse. The study also indicates traditional AM and digital outlets are not necessarilyantagonistic and highlights several common trends.