On The Wire: An analysis of ‘the most accurate presentation’ of a newsroom ever

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This article investigates how fictional print journalists were portrayed on the HBO drama The Wire (2002–08). Portrayals of journalism on television can influence audience perceptions of real-life journalists. The researchers utilized textual analysis of all ten episodes aired during The Wire’s fifth season, paying special attention to latent meanings of verbal and visual features. Key themes that emerged and were explored include the relationship between The Baltimore Sun and other city institutions, editors as teachers, journalists having to do more with less and tensions in the newsroom. These findings are interpreted through the lens of cultivation theory. The researchers suggest that The Wire depicts journalism as a powerful yet morally decaying occupation. With public trust in journalists and journalism at an all-time low, and considering the critical lauds of realism that The Wire has received, this depiction could cause viewers to form or reinforce negative stereotypes about journalists and the field of journalism.</jats:p>