Abstract
The article offers a new theoretical model that conceptualizes the "exotic"expertise of journalists and other knowledge-brokers who specialize in particular domains (e.g., teachers, librarians, analysts). The model adapts theories from sociology, pedagogy and philosophy and juxtaposes them against the insights of 14 editors-in-chief from leading Israeli media, in order to validate, refine and illustrate the theoretical generalizations. According to the suggested model, specialized knowledge brokers develop a unique type of expertise that can be modeled across four distinct dimensions: The manifestation of expertise (doing/talking), the mechanism of expertise (interplay between journalistic and domain knowledge), the socio-epistemic position (outsiders/insiders) and the density of expertise (homogenous versus heterogeneous knowledge). Understanding journalists' expertise is crucial due to the overwhelming assault on experts in "post truth"societies; their role as mega brokers of expert knowledge from all disciplines (outside one's own expertise) and the ongoing scholarly dispute on the nature of expertise.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 62-81 |
| Number of pages | 20 |
| Journal | Communication Theory |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Feb 2021 |
Keywords
- Expertise
- Journalism
- Knowledge Brokers
- Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK)
- Reporters and Commentators
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language