Working with the ‘gated’: A case study of ABC Open’s blend of reciprocal journalism and ‘collegial gatekeeping’

Abstract

This case study of Australian participatory-journalism project ABC Open analyzes the role of professional staff in the gatekeeping of user-generated content. Informed by the concept of ‘reciprocal journalism’ and applying the ‘network gatekeeping theory’ developed by Barzilai-Nahon, this study finds a user-generated content project that prioritizes rapport between user-generated content contributors and the initiative’s professional gatekeepers (‘producers’). Analysis suggests that the ‘collegial gatekeeping’ approach of ABC Open is resource- and labor-intensive, but succeeds by prioritizing quality over quantity in a long-term, non-profit initiative.