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Press play : journalists in fiction - on fiction as metajournalistic discourse and the sensemaking practices thereof by (non-) specialized audiences

Maxine De Wulf Helskens (UGent)
(2025)
Author
Promoter
(UGent) and (UGent)
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Project
Abstract
Have you ever noticed how many movie superheroes double as journalists — or how every fiction series seems to include an “annoying journo”? Journalists are among the most ubiquitous characters in fiction, shaping our perceptions of the profession in ways we rarely stop to consider. For many, these fictional depictions are their only glimpse into the world of journalism, a field often covered in mystique. This book delves into the representation of journalists across various narratives, genres and contexts uncovering the myths and stereotypes behind these characters. It expands this field of study beyond the context of the United States and adopts an intersectional perspective focusing on the representation of women and minority journalists in fiction. It also examines how audiences interpret and engage with these representations, offering fresh insights into the powerful interplay between fiction and reality.
Keywords
Popular Culture, Cultural Studies, Audience Research, Journalism, Intersectionality

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Citation

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MLA
De Wulf Helskens, Maxine. Press Play : Journalists in Fiction - on Fiction as Metajournalistic Discourse and the Sensemaking Practices Thereof by (Non-) Specialized Audiences. Ghent University. Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, 2025.
APA
De Wulf Helskens, M. (2025). Press play : journalists in fiction - on fiction as metajournalistic discourse and the sensemaking practices thereof by (non-) specialized audiences. Ghent University. Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Ghent, Belgium.
Chicago author-date
De Wulf Helskens, Maxine. 2025. “Press Play : Journalists in Fiction - on Fiction as Metajournalistic Discourse and the Sensemaking Practices Thereof by (Non-) Specialized Audiences.” Ghent, Belgium: Ghent University. Faculty of Political and Social Sciences.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
De Wulf Helskens, Maxine. 2025. “Press Play : Journalists in Fiction - on Fiction as Metajournalistic Discourse and the Sensemaking Practices Thereof by (Non-) Specialized Audiences.” Ghent, Belgium: Ghent University. Faculty of Political and Social Sciences.
Vancouver
1.
De Wulf Helskens M. Press play : journalists in fiction - on fiction as metajournalistic discourse and the sensemaking practices thereof by (non-) specialized audiences. [Ghent, Belgium]: Ghent University. Faculty of Political and Social Sciences; 2025.
IEEE
[1]
M. De Wulf Helskens, “Press play : journalists in fiction - on fiction as metajournalistic discourse and the sensemaking practices thereof by (non-) specialized audiences,” Ghent University. Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Ghent, Belgium, 2025.
@phdthesis{01JTJ5E6T61ND22HQT4BJNMQHS,
  abstract     = {{Have you ever noticed how many movie superheroes double as journalists — or how every fiction series seems to include an “annoying journo”? Journalists are among the most ubiquitous characters in fiction, shaping our perceptions of the profession in ways we rarely stop to consider. For many, these fictional depictions are their only glimpse into the world of journalism, a field often covered in mystique. This book delves into the representation of journalists across various narratives, genres and contexts uncovering the myths and stereotypes behind these characters. It expands this field of study beyond the context of the United States and adopts an intersectional perspective focusing on the representation of women and minority journalists in fiction. It also examines how audiences interpret and engage with these representations, offering fresh insights into the powerful interplay between fiction and reality.}},
  author       = {{De Wulf Helskens, Maxine}},
  keywords     = {{Popular Culture,Cultural Studies,Audience Research,Journalism,Intersectionality}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{V, 194}},
  publisher    = {{Ghent University. Faculty of Political and Social Sciences}},
  school       = {{Ghent University}},
  title        = {{Press play : journalists in fiction - on fiction as metajournalistic discourse and the sensemaking practices thereof by (non-) specialized audiences}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}