News production routines in ecuador�s online newspapers: El Universo, El Mercurio, El Diario and Crónica de la Tarde [Rutinas de producción informativa en los ciberdiarios de referencia de Ecuador: El Universo, El Mercurio, El Diario y Crónica de la Tarde]

Abstract

Introduction. This article presents the results of an analysis of the newsrooms of four Ecuadorian digital newspapers (El Universo, El Mercurio, El Diario and Crónica de la Tarde) in order to identify their news-production dynamics and professional practices. Method. The study is based on non-participatory observation and interviews with journalists, carried out inside the newsrooms of each newspaper. The observation sessions took place in 2011 on the following dates: at El Mercurio on 1 and 2 June; at El Universo on 7 June; at El Diario on 9 and 10 June; and at Crónica de la Tarde on 13 and 14 June. Results: The digital versions of the aforementioned newspapers do follow routine work methods. Discussion: The work structure of these newspapers has been inherited from their traditional print counterparts. Journalists do not participate in the decision-making processes or in the redefinition and evaluation of the digital product. Conclusions: The transition of journalists? work from the traditional to the digital platform presents a major concern. In the online newsrooms, work organization is consistent with the work dynamics, and human resources are limited and poorly-trained.