The podcast as a source of journalistic information from the perspective of Information Science

an interdisciplinary approach

Abstract

This study investigates the podcast as a source of journalistic information and an informational artifact, from an interdisciplinary approach between Information Science and Communication. Considering the growing relevance of the podcast format in the contemporary media landscape, the research aims to understand its distinctive features, its role in the processes of production, mediation, management, and consumption of information, and its potential as an object of study in Information Science. The methodology adopted is theoretical and exploratory, based on a literature review from Brazilian scientific databases and a reflective analysis of two journalistic podcasts: O Assunto (Grupo Globo) and Café da Manhã (Folha de S. Paulo). The results show that podcasts differ due to their audio-based nature, portability, accessibility, and engagement potential, fostering a more participatory relationship between producers and listeners. Furthermore, their production involves specific practices of digital content curation and indexing, expanding discussions on mediation and information regimes. The analysis also reveals that scientific research on this topic is still incipient in Brazil, despite its theoretical and practical potential for the field. It is concluded that the podcast, by challenging traditional models of journalistic information circulation, represents a strategic informational object for epistemological and methodological advances in Information Science. This study contributes to strengthening interdisciplinarity in the field, proposing new paths for investigating digital media as both sources and artifacts of information in the network society context.