WE ARE ALL JOURNALISTS: ANALYSIS OF THE RADICAL RIGHT PERCEPTION OF JOURNALISTIC PRACTICES AND NORMATIVE ROLES: THE CASE OF THE 4CHAN FORUM

Abstract

The paper examines the radical right-wing understanding of journalistic practices and normative roles. After presenting the normative roles of journalism (monitorial, facilitative, radical, and collaborative), and the radical right 4chan forum (its subforum Politically Incorrect), a qualitative content analysis of /pol/ user posts is conducted. The analysis identified the presence of a negative perception of contemporary journalism practices, highlighting the belief that true journalism is dead, accusations that journalism spreads propaganda and fake news, and that it is subordinated to the interests of Jews, globalists, and capitalists, along with calls for violence against journalists. The presence of considerations on the normative role of journalism was also established, showing the greatest similarity to the monitorial and radical roles, especially regarding the provision of information and opening of twoway communication between authorities and citizens. The most important finding of the analysis is the confirmation of the existence of specific normative insights of the radical right /pol/ – emphasis on the radical vision of the citizen as a journalist, propaganda as the essence of journalism, and journalism as a battleground for narratives.