Rutinas periodisticas en el nuevo escenario de medios digitales: estudio de caso machala

Abstract

This research describes and analyzes journalistic routines in response to the question of how journalists working in digital media in Machala, southern Ecuador, shape and transform their work in the face of technological, labor, and audience interaction demands in the new digital media landscape. This media environment has undergone a significant transformation in recent decades, directly impacting journalistic routines by requiring journalists to adapt to faster work dynamics, integrate technological tools, and engage in continuous interaction with active digital audiences. The transformation of digital journalism is marked by the coexistence of technological innovations and new editorial narratives. In Machala, the capital of El Oro province, digital media have proliferated as a response to the increasing consumption of information on online platforms, a trend consistent with global developments. However, this expansion raises questions about how local journalists adapt their practices and address the challenges associated with this new media landscape. These issues are examined through a case study focusing on journalistic routines in Machala’s digital media. In-depth interviews with five local journalists explore their perceptions, experiences, and strategies for navigating the challenges of digitalization. The research follows a qualitative approach and also includes interviews with two editors from selected media outlets and two experts in digital audiences who have authored relevant studies. The study is structured into three main sections: an initial contextualization and justification of the research focus and selected media, followed by the methodology, results, and discussion. First, the establishment of journalistic routines and news agendas is analyzed based on sources’ perceptions regarding information-gathering procedures, digital content definition, and metrics analysis. Second, the role of social media platforms and search engines in shaping journalistic workflows is examined through expert interviews. Finally, the study synthesizes its main contributions, limitations, and considerations for future research. Through qualitative analysis, the interviews reveal insights into the rapid changes in daily planning, variable routines depending on content type, the constant stress of social media immediacy, and the demands of new audiences. The study concludes that immediacy compromises the quality of professional journalism on digital platforms and underscores the need to strengthen investigative and ethical competencies in contemporary journalistic practice. The findings are relevant to scholars interested in journalistic routine studies, as well as to journalists and digital media managers facing the current challenges of this evolving environment. This research aims to serve as a foundation for future discussions on the impact of digitalization on journalistic practices in regional contexts across Latin America.