What Matters in Embedded Journalism: News Sources, News Credibility, News Control in
Embedded Journalists’ Reports
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ABSTRACT
What Matters in Embedded Journalism:
News Sources, News Credibility, News Control in Embedded Journalists’ Reports
A random sample of news editors and directors assessed a triangle of factors--
news credibility, news control and news sources—in their news decisions on embedded
reporting. This study, coupled with qualitative data, surveys the perceptions of the
nation’s news decision-makers. It examines what mattered the most to them in embedded
journalism. Support was found for a matrix of factors affecting embedded journalism
practice, and particularly individual level of factors, i.e., professional background,
individual characteristics, professional roles, routine practices, even during war time.
National news sources, particularly, newspapers, and affiliate news outlets and the
Associated Press were perceived to be the prominent players. Respondents considered
accuracy, reliability and fairness as significant in the credibility of embedded news
reports. This study suggests an important consideration for embedded journalists’
reporting and offers an insight for public information officials in their strategic approach
to embedded journalists.
Convention