The Place and Status of Photography in Changing Newsrooms: Economic Constraints, Digital Convergence and Visual Culture in the 2020s

In the context of financial constraints, digital transformation, and evolving editorial priorities, this study examines the role and status of photography in contemporary newsrooms. Drawing on ethnographic research and semi-structured interviews conducted in five French-speaking newspapers in Belgium, France and Switzerland (Le Soir, La Libre, L'Écho, Le Monde, and Le Temps), the study analyzes how economic pressures, newsroom convergence, and visual culture influence editorial strategies related to photography. Findings reveal a spectrum of adaptation, ranging from balanced integration of photography to a state of imbalance where visual content is deprioritized. While financial constraints often lead to reduced investment in photography, a strong visual culture and editorial visual competence within a newsroom can serve as mitigating factors. The study highlights the persistent challenges of fully integrating photography into digital-first strategies and underscores the importance of editorial decisions in shaping photography's place within contemporary journalism.