ABSTRACT
Growing awareness of global ecological crises has provoked a set of new practices in journalism that we suggest labeling transformative journalisms. The term encompasses a diversity of new role conceptions and practices that converge around an explicit and transparent commitment to contribute to the social-ecological transformation of societies by doing journalism. It is thus a form of advocacy journalism that is special in being dedicated to the most common of common goods, preserving the eco-systems and natural resources of the planet. Transformative journalism challenges some aspects of objectivity, such as the idea of the neutral, distanced observer. Instead, it emphasizes the elements of relevant and factually correct coverage as well as values such as transparency about values and moderating the debates that enable society to develop more sustainable ways of life. While the tension between the poles of being a critical, independent observer and sharing a mission of ecological transformation is the source of criticism by proponents of more traditional role conceptions, we also see this tension as a productive source for creativity, complementing traditional journalism with new forms of content, production, and interactions audiences as well as increased awareness of the ecological footprint of doing journalism.
