The professional identity of the journalist in play: the case of Headliner: NoviNews

Abstract

Journalism is a profession that frequently appears represented in audiovisual fiction. These representations help shape a specific image of the journalist and their profession, which has been the subject of academic study on numerous occasions. However, these works have primarily focused on television and cinematic fictions. The research presented here has sought to explore less studied audiovisual representations, those found in the ludonarrative fictions of video games. Through the study of the work Headliner: NoviNews, the representation of journalism and the journalist in video games has been analyzed. The work conducted demonstrates how the inherent interactivity of this medium is a differentiating element that allows the player to understand and enact the various roles of the journalist and their challenges through a single work.