Full metadata
Title
Weathercasters in local television news: a qualitative case study of culture and technology in a large U.S. broadcasting market during the monsoon
Description
This is a case study of weathercasters in a large U.S. television market from five different English speaking stations conducted before, during, and after a severe weather season. The research applies the ethnographic process to inscribe and define the culture of local weathercasters in the news environment. The purpose of this study is to examine the extant cultural characteristics discerned by weathercasters and the changes in weather broadcast technology used by live “on-air” television personnel. Forty-nine elite, in depth interviews with 17 different weathercasters along with participant and non-participant observation yielded transcripts and field notes obtained during the six month data acquisition phase. Using qualitative methods and the CAQDAS program Dedoose, 953 coded excerpts from the transcripts were analyzed for various patterns, behaviors, and characteristics relevant to culture, technology, and perceptions of weathercasters. The excerpts revealed dominant cultural aspects defined as dichotomous differences, autonomous functions, and identity perceptions. Socio-technical models are explicated in relationship to control, knowledge, and strategic coping mechanisms. The newsroom and weathercaster co-cultural context is defined by the conformity versus autonomy relationship and the external and internal structure of the weathercaster’s working environment is delineated. Co-cultural models explain the way influence operates in severe weather situations within the newsroom culture. The results have utility for scholars studying technology, culture, newsroom routines, rituals, and professionals who work in the television news industry. The findings are highly relevant for television weathercasters, newsroom producers, and broadcast managers.
Date Created
2016
Contributors
- Garry, Steven P (Author)
- Silcock, B. William (Thesis advisor)
- Godfrey, Donald G. (Committee member)
- Craft, John E. (Committee member)
- Savenye, Wilhelmina C. (Committee member)
- Arizona State University (Publisher)
Topical Subject
- Mass Communication
- journalism
- Meteorology
- Broadcast News
- Culture
- Meteorologists
- Technology
- Weathercaster
- Weather broadcasting--United States--Psychological aspects.
- Weather broadcasting
- Monsoons--United States--Psychological aspects.
- Monsoons
- Television weathercasters--United States--Psychology.
- Television weathercasters
Resource Type
Extent
xi, 192 pages : illustrations (some color)
Language
eng
Copyright Statement
In Copyright
Primary Member of
Peer-reviewed
No
Open Access
No
Handle
https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.38589
Statement of Responsibility
by Steven P Garry
Description Source
Viewed on August 12, 2016
Level of coding
full
Note
thesis
Partial requirement for: Ph.D., Arizona State University, 2016
bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 175-185)
Field of study: Journalism and mass communication
System Created
- 2016-06-01 08:43:43
System Modified
- 2021-08-30 01:23:45
- 3 years 2 months ago
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