Abstract

Using the institutional discursive approach as a theoretical framework, the article studies the perception that journalists working mainly on migration have about the media coverage of that topic. Moreover, the article analyzes how they try to legitimize themselves as an authoritative source on the subject. To answer the questions raised, 31 semi-structured and reconstruction interviews were conducted with Italian journalists. The article interprets the efforts made by these journalists for their professional legitimacy, as an opportunity to grasp their normative beliefs and the rhetorical strategies they resort to.