Week 3

Reading Diary: Week 3

Exploring the Impact of Digital Technology on Journalism & PR

The impact of the technology on the media and journalism is getting wider and wider nowadays. To conduct my studies this week I read ‘ where the positive and negative things about the technology in media were outlined as well as the new opportunities gained. Today, most of the people have a smart phone or a tablet which enables them to be “closer” to the news and gives them the potential to upload posts, share opinions and even make their own blogs. This is so-called “citizen journalism” which is seen as a threat by the professional ones.

It is not hidden that the journalism is transformed a lot by new tools and practices. Some of the journalists see this as a crisis but others appreciate the freedom of the media. The Internet provides great opportunities for the reads and writers as well, engaging them with the new technologies totally different from the traditional business model of journalism. The text gives us the three key functions of journalism but just following them is not what makes a journalist to professional. The most important thing is the collaboration between them.

Bob Franklin suggests in his “The Future of Journalism” (Journalism Studies, 2012) the good points that could lead into a rise of journalism in terms of being creative about exploring the “distinctive ways of writing and presenting news”.

I agree with both of the theorists. On the one hand, technologies are growing so fast and can’t be ignored no matter how strong some of the journalists want it. It’s true that there is a threat for the professionals but the opportunities that become available are not just a few. The impact on the contemporary media business is intense so a lot of new skills should be developed. The positive things about the “digital” journalism are as the following: more audience feedback, more people engaged, more stories and perspectives, broadband capability, wireless communication and permanent connectivity. I think that the digital journalism is not a threat or crisis, but a explosion seen as a “liberation from strict corporate control” (Van Der Haak, B. The Future of Journalism)

For my future interest I would make a focus group of 6 young people aged 18-32 and 6 older ones aged 45-55 in order to understand the impact of the networked journalism on them and compare their opinions.  I would use a rhetorical analysis as well.

Referencing:

Van Der Haak, B., Parks, M. and Castells, M. 2012. The future of journalism: Networked journalism. International Journal of Communication, 6 

Franklin B., 2012. Journalism Studies, The Future of Journalism, 13:5-6, 663-681