Space, Geography and Journalism

Abstract

This chapter examines in detail the conceptual framework of David Harvey’s geography and how it applies to journalism, using case studies from Haacke’s and Stone’s work discussed in the preceding chapters. The argument is that Harvey’s theory can be used to elaborate Tuchman’s “web of facticity” cast by journalists in time and space as their fundamental research and reporting practice. Harvey proposed a tripartite conceptualisation of absolute, relative and relational space. These categories are explained and their relevance to journalism discussed. Harvey put his categorisation together with Lefebvre’s conceptualisation of spatial practice – perceived, conceived and lived space – to produce a matrix checklist of the complexities of spatiotemporality with respect to human practice. Using case studies from the works of Stone and Haacke, this chapter works through the nine categories of the matrix to argue that they provide a very rich metatheoretical framework for considering the rigour and value of journalistic research practice. The argument is that this demonstration of journalism’s depth and complexity as a spatiotemporal research practice is comparable to that of other disciplines in the humanities and social sciences, and validates journalism as a disciplinary framework for the production of knowledge.