Digitalization of local media and changing journalism practices: A case study of Elâzığ

Along with digitalization, social networking platforms have also had an important place in the news production process of media institutions and in delivering the news to end-users. Digital media is a very complex structure with the ability to deliver instant messages to users through new communication technologies such as the internet, social networks, computers, and mobile devices. Today, the media platforms that draw attention to these technologies also continue their existence with traditional devices such as newspapers, radio, and television. In order to fully grasp the complex structure in question, it is of great importance to have a thorough understanding of the digitalization process of local media. This study has analyzed the digitalization process and changing journalism practices in the local media by implementing a case study. At the same time, within the scope of the study, the problems that arise in the digitalization process of the local media were detected, solutions were offered. Within the scope of this research, Sondakika23, which is totally digital, elazigsonhaber.com; operating as news sites of local TV channels, and Kanal23.com were analyzed. Also, news websites of elazigfirat.com and elazighaberkent.com, which operate as internet news sites of local printed newspapers, were analyzed. Finally, social media accounts of these establishments were also examined. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the managers and editorial staff of the selected media. Using the in-depth interview technique, problems encountered by the local media in the digitalization process were determined and solutions were offered. In addition, the changes that digitalization brought to journalism practices were determined through the interviews. As an example, the news websites of the selected media were analyzed using the Alexa Analysis System. Using the system in question, social media accounts, the number of news items uploaded weekly and the categorical distribution of these items were analyzed. Benefiting from the content analysis method, additional data was provided to the research. As a result of this research, a conclusion below was reached: the local media in Elazig largely adapts to digitalization utilizing the possibilities of new media. However digitalization in this regard has caused a competitive setting. In addition, in this research, some changes in the practices of journalists working in the local media in the province of Elazig as a result of digitalization were also determined.