The Journalistic Role Performance Project (JRP, see https://www.journalisticperformance.org/ ) is a cross-national, theory-driven endeavor established in 2013 to systematically analyze the state of journalistic cultures in the new media landscape across the world.The main goal of the project is to examine how various dimensions of professional roles are reflected in the news across different organizational, institutional, and social contexts. At the same time, the study seeks to address the disconnect between professional and normative ideals and actual journalistic practices. By doing so, it aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of how journalistic roles are performed and the extent to which they align with—or diverge from—established ideals.
The project provides scientific knowledge and empirical information to researchers, students, practitioners, the media as well as international institutions, to understand the complexities of the profession, as well as the influence that different internal and external factors have on the practice of journalism worldwide.
Thanks to the effort of high-quality scholars, and over the past two waves, the JRP project has achieved remarkable milestones:
• First Wave (2013-2018): Analyzed the performance of professional roles, as well as the gap between ideals and practice in 18 countries
• Second Wave (2019-2024): Studied how journalistic roles materialize in the news across 37 countries, as well as the influence that characteristics and attitudes of journalists have on the performance of various journalistic functions.
Building on the earlier iterations of the study, the Third Wave of the project (2025–2029) compares the presence of various journalistic roles in current affairs news across television, radio, print, and online media, understanding the influence that different platforms, as well as diverse media systems, have on the practice of journalism globally.
Its consolidated current network includes 59 countries, 80 international universities, 114 academics, and approximately 100 students from America, Asia, Europe, The Middle East, Africa and Oceania, representing diverse political and economic systems and classifications. This third wave builds upon the advancements made in the first and second waves, incorporating findings, methodologies, and knowledge developed over the years. While maintaining its core focus, this phase expands the scope to include not only a larger number of countries but also a more diverse range of media systems not previously represented in the study. It also integrates additional measures and perspectives, leveraging fresh insights and addressing new challenges in the evolving media landscape. By doing so, the project not only continues its mission but also enhances its contribution to understanding how factors such as newsroom culture, editorial policies, ownership structures, market pressures, and levels of political freedom, among other factors, influence journalistic practices worldwide.
Anyone interested in being part of a Swedish/Norwegian/Danish/Icelandic JRP team should contact Henrik Örnebring (henrik.ornebring@kau.se), Professor of Media and Communication at Karlstad University (Sweden).