Immersion Journalism. How VICE Media Challenges the Norms, Methods, and Ideals of Mainstream Journalism

Abstract

In this thesis we will be looking at a certain phenomenon within journalism, which despite its long history, has a marginal presence in what we would call mainstream' journalism. The phenomenon of Immersion Journalism can take many different forms, and as we will see it can be difficult to clearly define. The following is an attempt to create a framework of what Immersion Journalism is, as a part of the ongoing discussions on new forms of journalism. We will argue that the phenomenon has many important contributions to give, not only to a profession which is currently experiencing an apparent paradigmatic shift, but also as an alternative approach to enlighten people in general about the world they live in. To do this we are examining journalism in a historical perspective, as well looking into various forms of journalisms which uses an immersed reporter. We are also analysing films from the up-and-coming media company VICE Media, who is growing into becoming a serious contender for dissemination news content to a younger audience. In this thesis we are asking: What is Immersion Journalism, to what degree does VICE Media use this form of journalism, and to what extent does it challenge the norms, methods, and professional ideals of mainstream journalism?