Powers of Invisibility An Ethnographic Study of Copy Editors and Journalistic Objectivity
Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Social Sciences
First Advisor
Vesperi, Maria
Keywords
Journalism, Ethnography, Headlines, Anthropology
Area of Concentration
Anthropology
Abstract
This thesis presents an ethnographic study of the copy desk at a mid-sized Florida newspaper and a copy editing seminar at the Poynter Institute, a school for working journalists. Copy editors occupy an invisible position between other journalists and the reading public. Their names do not appear in print, yet they exercise far more power over content than do reporters as the credited authors. Copy editors' decisions, made under pressure, preface what becomes labeled as the "authoritative voice" of the newspaper. I will suggest that copy editors collaboratively reinterpret institutional ideals of unmarked objectivity.
Recommended Citation
Phelps, Kara, "Powers of Invisibility An Ethnographic Study of Copy Editors and Journalistic Objectivity" (2008). Theses & ETDs. 4010.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4010
Rights
This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.