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Saturday, November 12
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PP 621
The First 20 Years of Digital Journalism in Spain and Portugal: A Comparative Approach
M. Limia
1
, X. López
2
, C. Toural
2
1
University of Minho, Social Sciences Institute, Braga, Spain
2
University of Santiago de Compostela, Communication Sciences, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
We recently attended the anniversary celebration of the 20 years of the digital journalism in Spain and Portugal, since the creation of the first and leading
online digital news services on the Iberian Peninsula. In this paper we carry out a historical journey through the various stages in the evolution that has
taken place since the first digital versions of print editions until the arrival of the‘strict meaning’digital media. At the same time we review how the univer‑
sity and academic discipline of studies on digital journalism was historically formed, highlighting the main issues and challenges facing this area of study
in the geographical area of the Iberian Peninsula. In addition to geographical and cultural proximity, many interests and experiences are shared by Spain
and Portugal. Thus, it is possible to observe a unique phenomenon in both countries. The emergence and proliferation of online media in the Iberian
Peninsula has been accompanied by the establishment of the field of study of Digital Journalism in universities. Thus, it is possible to identify various
stages in the historical development of this subject area, characterized by the clear parallel between the conformation of the profession, on one hand,
and the academic field on the other. At present, in the context of a ars nascendi that is currently under development, not only digital media have passed
the age of majority with the establishment of its main features, characteristics, delineation of areas of study, etc., but also we have seen (almost in unison)
the arrival of maturity in studies of digital media and online journalism. In these twenty years we have witnessed the creation of a real critical mass around
the study of digital journalism in Spain and Portugal. With the emergence and subsequent consolidation of courses on digital journalism in the curricula
of universities, the creation of the first research groups dedicated to the new phenomenon, the implementation of research projects (increasingly on more
specific topics) or the increasingly frequent publication of specialized monographs and scientific studies around the digital journalism and its surrounding
issues. When studying and analyzing the 20 years of digital media in Spain and Portugal we decided to conduct an analysis of the main media of both
countries to see how they have addressed the digitization and the adaptation to the web, with special attention to the processes of inclusion and promotion
of readers’participation, creation and development of digital storytelling, promoting interactivity, etc. Finally, and making an overall assessment, although
that progresses both professionally and academically have been remarkable, it is necessary to make some distinctions. It is possible to note the presence
of mixed results, with the emergence of very innovative and valuable experiments (many of them emerged, paradoxically, with the economic crisis) while
it is possible to detect certain historical reluctance by traditional media that undoubtedly have delayed advances in the field. Hence it is necessary and
suggestive to make a fundamental distinction between native digital media and those dependent on a previous medium, mainly written.