Digital narratives and the performative power of news in the era of false information: an ethnography of journalism in Northern Ireland

Abstract

The field of journalism plays a powerful role in shaping public discourse, yet its traditional authority is fundamentally challenged by contemporary false information, epitomised by the form of ‘fake news’ that emerged from the 2016 US election. This thesis explores how false information disrupts journalistic practice and authority in a complex and contested media landscape. It argues that while false information is often framed as an external threat, it also functions as a structural and institutional constraint on journalistic autonomy. Drawing on an interdisciplinary approach, the study combines ethnography with natural language processing and discourse analysis to examine how ‘truth’ is constructed and performed in the arena of news. It engages with theories of performativity and performance to analyse how journalists both counter and reproduce the discursive practices through which false information spreads. Focusing on Northern Ireland as a post-conflict society with a polarised political landscape, the research investigates how local journalists navigate competing truth claims, institutional pressures and shifting perceptions of media legitimacy. It advances the understanding of how ‘truth’ is negotiated in contemporary media discourse, contributing to debates on media transparency and accountability.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2030.

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Sponsors	Leverhulme Interdisciplinary Network on Cybersecurity and Society (LINCS)
Supervisor	Maruska Svasek (Supervisor) & Barry Devereux (Supervisor)