Immersive journalism: a bibliometric analysis

The aim of this article is to identify the main research areas within studies dedicated to immersive journalism and to demonstrate the dynamics of changes in scholarly interest in this field. This includes presenting time series, key countries, leading academic journals, and research topics that have shaped the evolution of immersive journalism.

The research method applied in this article is bibliometric analysis, complemented by content analysis of the literature. The analysis employed targeted keyword searches in the Scopus database using terms such as: Immersive Journalism, 360-Degree Video Journalism, 360° Journalism, AR Journalism, VR Journalism, MR Journalism, XR Journalism, and Narrative Journalism.

Results and conclusions: Academic articles on immersive journalism are most prominent between 2020 and 2024, with a notable increase in publications after 2018. Authors contributing to this field primarily come from Spain, the United States, Australia, and the Netherlands. Key academic journals publishing on immersive journalism include Journalism, Journalism Practice, and Journalism Studies. Early research focused on traditional narrative journalism and literary storytelling techniques, with immersive technologies playing a marginal role at the time. In the initial stages of immersive journalism’s development, studies explored its ethical dimensions, particularly its emotional impact and potential to manipulate audiences. Since 2022, there has been growing interest in advanced immersive technologies. Current research examines how these technologies can enhance the sense of presence and audience engagement.

Originality and cognitive value: This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution of research on immersive journalism, considering key thematic, geographical, and temporal dimensions. The identification of dominant terms and concepts offers a deeper understanding of the trends and challenges associated with immersive technologies used in journalism, serving as a valuable reference point for future research.