Journalistic cartography

notes for a research agenda in the fields of Communication and Journalism Studies

Abstract

This article addresses “journalistic cartographies” as an interfield of studies starting from the Geographies of Communication and the Geocommunications, whose epistemological and methodological assumptions mobilize Communication and Journalism knowledge. Initially, we briefly present the process of transformation of cartography under the impact of so-called geotechnologies and digital platforms. Next, the trajectory of the (still unfinished) concept of “journalistic cartography” is reconstructed, based on an exploratory search for the term in four languages, which reveals the protagonism of geographers to the detriment of Communication and Journalism researchers. Finally, we propose a discussion about the relationship between media maps and communicative effectiveness and journalistic ethics, taking “geojournalism” inaugurated by the InfoAmazonia project as paradigmatic. We concluded that a research agenda on cartography is urgently needed from the perspective of Communication and Journalism Studies.