Democratic Podcasting: Mediating Subjectivity in Constructive Audio Journalism Practice

Journalism has long had an uneasy relationship with subjectivity. However, when it comes to podcasting personal storytelling is often highlighted as a strength. Top journalism prizes such as the Pulitzer are frequently awarded to podcasts that report through a subjective frame. The common podcasting technique of self-reflexivity has also been highlighted as valuable in transparently revealing elements of the journalistic process, with potential to build audience trust. While there is now a substantial body of research focused on podcast journalism, there has been limited focus on how the prominent use of subjectivity might relate to the medium's democratic function.