Sticks Journalism: Who Are Journalists, Who Are Not? The Identity Crisis of Professionals in Bangladesh and South Asia

The proliferation of smartphones and social media has reshaped journalistic practices across South Asia, particularly in Bangladesh, where “selfie stick journalism” has emerged as a symbolic and practical marker of the new media age. This paper investigates how the democratization of media tools—mobile phones, selfie sticks, livestream platforms, and algorithmic news feeds—has redefined the boundaries of journalism, eroding traditional professional hierarchies and raising critical questions: Who qualifies as a journalist in a networked society? What constitutes journalistic authority, authenticity, and accountability when anyone can broadcast to millions? Drawing upon case studies from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, this study explores the identity crisis confronting professional journalists amidst the rise of “content creators,” “citizen reporters,” and “social influencers.” The research combines theoretical frameworks from Pierre Bourdieu’s field theory, Manuel Castells’s network society, and media convergence literature to examine shifts in professional legitimacy and epistemic authority. Empirical data are drawn from interviews with professional journalists, digital content creators, and social media analysts, as well as content analysis of viral “selfie journalism” incidents during major political and humanitarian events in 2024–2025. The findings suggest a profound transformation of journalistic identity: a movement from institutional to performative, from gatekeeping to self-branding, and from public service to algorithmic visibility. In South Asia’s hybrid media ecology, the selfie stick becomes not just a tool but a metaphor for the spectacle, precariousness, and personalization of journalism itself.