by Paolo Samarelli
Why so many articles appear in Italian newspapers without a signature? This is strange in the era of the Image, but as usual “follow the money” and you’ll find out why. Hurdles and obstacles in publishing start from here and reach out to the precariousness of many young journalists. Seen from below.
For some time now the vast majority of the infographics (information with words and images) published in Italian newspapers is anonymous, without the signature of the author or the authors. Often it is visual information related to significant events, made understandable at a glance; often it has a bulk in the newspaper page or during a video even higher than the length of the article to which they refer.
Infographics have been inflected over time with various names. Now, regarding names and concepts, visual- and data-journalism prevail (though they are not exactly the same). These English definitions give the product a certificate of quality and modernity, regardless of the actual understanding of what they express and mean. Perhaps the explanation of graphic journalism could have merged the definitions, however, the definition is too often combined with graphic novel (a mix of drawings/comics and tale). Without getting lost in definitions in Italian or English I refer to all this and to those who with drawings, images of various kind and written words build information up for the media: print, online, TV. The radio stays off.
But so, why the hell in Italy not all infographics are signed? Simple: on the various types of media, on average, they are signed by cooperators staying outside the company. They aren’t signed by resident workers inside the company. This happens for economic reasons.