Performing the News
Performing the News
Identity, Authority, and the Myth of Neutrality
Performing the News: Identity, Authority, and the Myth of Neutrality explores how journalists from historically marginalized groups have long felt pressure to conform when performing for audiences. Many speak with a flat, “neutral” accent, modify their delivery to hide distinctive vocal attributes, dress conventionally to appeal to the “average” viewer, and maintain a consistent appearance to avoid unwanted attention. Their aim is what author Elia Powers refers to as performance neutrality—presentation that is deemed unobjectionable, reveals little about journalists’ social identity, and supposedly does not detract from their message. Increasingly, journalists are challenging restrictive, purportedly neutral forms of self-presentation. This book argues that performance neutrality is a myth that reinforces the status quo, limits on-air diversity, and hinders efforts to make newsrooms more inclusive. Through in-depth interviews with journalists in broadcasting and podcasting, and those who shape their performance, the author suggests ways to make journalism more inclusive and representative of diverse audiences.
A compelling exploration of how journalism's emphasis on professionalism and authority is rooted in Western, ethnocentric principles. . . . A thought-provoking and timely critique of the journalism industry's entrenched norms. Powers challenges readers to rethink the concept of neutrality, revealing it as a constructed ideal that excludes many voices. The book's combination of rigorous research, engaging anecdotes, and actionable insights makes it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in media diversity and inclusivity.
This book is a timely one. . . . Not only does [it] contribute to self-presentation scholarship, particularly in the journalism and mass communication field and research, but its arguments can also provide critical insights into how news journalists navigate the complexities of identity, appearance, and public perception. . . . An excellent guide for educators and students in the field of journalism and mass communication, offering practical insights and theoretical frameworks that help bridge academic learning with real-world media practices.
Elia Powers has set out to challenge decades of status-quo thinking around one of the thorniest topics in professional communication: How we judge others, and, in turn, how we judge ourselves.'
Dr. Elia M. Powers presents a valuable, thoughtful perspective on journalists navigating identity, authority, and the myth of neutrality. This book should be required reading for anyone interested in the news media.'
Part I Critical Perspectives
1 Covering (on) the News
2 Performance, Form, and the Myth of Neutrality
3 Learning How to Perform
4 The Influential Imagined Audience
Part II Norms and Practices
5 Consistent and Conventional Appearance (Performing on Television – Part I)
6 “Accentless” Speech and Attractive Voices (Performing on Television – Part II)
7 The Enduring #PubRadioVoice (Performing on Radio)
8 Semi-Performative and Vocally Diverse (Performing on Podcasts)
Part III Laws and Suggested Actions
9 Legal Protections and Their Limits
Conclusion: How Change Happens
Acknowledgments
References
Notes
Index
