Investigating the Epistemological Orientations and Professional Standards of Journalism Cultures: A Case Study of Transitional and Developing Societies

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Abstract This study examines the epistemological orientations of journalism cultures in post-conflict, transitional, and developing contexts—areas that remain underexplored in journalism scholarship. Focusing on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, where both media institutions and political structures are undergoing democratisation, the research investigates how journalists in non-Western societies define and enact their professional responsibilities. These contexts are marked by ongoing tensions between established professional norms and the dominance of partisan ideologies. Challenging traditional understandings of journalism cultures as a universally governed institution rooted in shared norms, values, and identity, the study argues for a more context-sensitive and dynamic interpretation of professionalism. Rather than treating professionalism as a fixed standard, it is approached as a contested discourse shaped by local political, institutional, and cultural conditions. Utilizing Hanitzsch’s (2011) framework—particularly the roles of the Critical Change Agent and Opportunist Facilitator—alongside a neo-Gramscian lens and the Priority Model of journalistic practice, the study draws on survey data from 142 Kurdish journalists to explore these dynamics. Ultimately, the findings of this study suggest that journalistic professionalism in such environments evolves through processes of identity negotiation, adaptation to institutional constraints, and engagement with competing hegemonies. Above and beyond, the research contributes to a deeper, more nuanced understanding of journalism in non-Western, post-conflict societies, and advocates for analytical frameworks that are culturally grounded and responsive to local complexities in democratic transition contexts. Keywords: Epistemological orientations, journalism cultures, neo-gramscian framework, transitional contexts, non-western societies