Screens, Sources, Stories: Technology’s Impact on Dutch Foreign Correspondents in the Americas

Foreign correspondents increasingly integrate digital technologies into their reporting routines, streamlining newsgathering and communication. However, no comprehensive analysis of the technological habits of Dutch foreign correspondents has been conducted. This article examines how Dutch foreign correspondents in the Americas utilize digital tools, including mobile chat applications and social media, in their daily work, and how this influences sourcing, collaboration, and editorial practices. The study draws on thirteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Dutch foreign correspondents based across North, Central, and South America. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns in the use and perception of digital technologies. Findings reveal a selective integration of digital tools: messaging apps facilitate faster communication, but social media is viewed critically. Correspondents continue to emphasize the importance of traditional media and in-person...Show moreForeign correspondents increasingly integrate digital technologies into their reporting routines, streamlining newsgathering and communication. However, no comprehensive analysis of the technological habits of Dutch foreign correspondents has been conducted. This article examines how Dutch foreign correspondents in the Americas utilize digital tools, including mobile chat applications and social media, in their daily work, and how this influences sourcing, collaboration, and editorial practices. The study draws on thirteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Dutch foreign correspondents based across North, Central, and South America. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns in the use and perception of digital technologies. Findings reveal a selective integration of digital tools: messaging apps facilitate faster communication, but social media is viewed critically. Correspondents continue to emphasize the importance of traditional media and in-person reporting as essential to their professional practice. Digital technologies supplement but do not replace established journalistic routines. These insights offer a nuanced understanding of how foreign correspondents navigate technological change while maintaining editorial integrity.Show less

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Screens, Sources, Stories: Technology’s Impact on Dutch Foreign Correspondents in the Americas