Transformations in Journalists' Work, Professional Pressure and Performance Consumptions

This presentation aims to present and discuss the results of a research project regarding the relationship between transformations in journalists' work, professionalism and the management of professional pressure through the use of medication, food supplements or other natural products - referred to as performance consumptions. This approach allows us to analyze the transformations in journalists' work and how journalists use various natural and pharmaceutical resources to cope with the pressures they face in their profession.

Within this framework, we discuss how changes concerning the various aspects of journalists' work, in particular work demands (intelectual, emotional and physical) and working times, contribute to increased pressure to perform. We also discuss the relationship between increased work pressure and performance consumptions to manage professional performance.

The discussion is supported by findings from a research project (ConPerLit) funded by the Portuguese national funding agency for science, research and technology (FCT), using a mixed-methods research design. In this context, this study employed in an integrated manner, a variety of research methods, both qualitative and quantitative, in three sequential phases: focus groups, questionnaire survey and interviews.

The results highlight that transformations of journalists’ work in a context of growing technological innovations and new modes of professionalism generate new forms of professional pressure and great wear and tear caused by an increase in work time (extension, irregularity, flexibility, unpredictability of schedules, and overlap between the professional and private spheres), more accelerated work pace, higher workloads, more multi-skilling, and the particularly demanding interaction with the public. The increase in professional pressure has tangible effects on performance consumption, as it is demonstrated by the relationship between work pressure factors and performance consumptions; journalists who consume products for performance purposes perceive their professional activity more intense, more demanding and more exposed to risks.