France: Everyday Digital Practices and Global Surveillance

• In Event: Pushing the Boundaries of Journalism Studies: The NSA Affair and the Global Legitimation Challenges of Journalism

Abstract

During the first few months following Snowden's leaks, the diplomatic quarrels between countries occupied the front pages of main national newspapers. However, opinionated journalism also focused on everyday media practices and especially on the poor “media literacy” of internet consumers. Questions of public awareness of (and vulnerability to) the kind of surveillance exposed by Snowden were prominent for instance in France. At stake were not merely the practices of the average citizens but those of heavy users of new media (to whom journalists themselves belong). In this context, the Snowden case provides an opportunity to study how journalists position themselves in public debate and in relation to the audience. Discussion on media literacy of the audience also opens questions about the complex relationship between journalists and new technologies.

Author

• Oliver Baisnee, Institute d'Etudes Politiques de Toulouse