Once again we looked at an issue affecting all of us as future Journalists: The effect of Globalisation. Gone are the days of a local Journalist providing the news for his town. Living in an age where I can find out what my favourite celebrity had for breakfast on twitter or a free lance Journalist's opinion on the war in Iraq the role of quality journalism is dropping in significance, whilst growing in need.
When one can access to the miute news from around the world- and are seemingly more than willing to trust feelance websites and citizen Journalists- the quest for the truth and the harder task of attracting readers or listeners becomes more and more difficult.
To tackle this issue I think it is of upmost importance to go back to the main principles of good reporting- Follow Kipling's men (Who, What, Why , Where and Who) and verify our sources. As one must realise, with Globalisation comes technologies which make our source acquisition easier to execute, as well as giving us the luxury of reporting on a range of national, international and local issues from the comfort of our own offices.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Who will pay for Journalism?
This week another alarming issue for budding journalists: The dying Newspaper industry. Rupert Murdoch has announced in the past few weeks that '...contrary to popular reports, information does not want to be free; it actually wants to be paid for.' (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/10/business/media/10carr.html)
He has in his sights the introduction of an oline pay wall, where people must pay to access newspaper articles online. But, well, who would do that? Take for example, my writing this blog. I needed a quick article about Murdoch's plan so I googled it, picked the most reputable source from the results provided- The New York Times- and tra la!...I have what I need, without moving from my chair, without spending a cent.
Now why, when it is this easy to access news, would people go out of their way to purchase a newspaper? I know the argument stands that the newspaper remains a tradition in people's lives- on the train to work, with their Sunday coffee- but what for the new generation? The generation that have grown up accustomed to free information at their fingertips?
Murdoch's idea is that if one must pay for online news then they will either do that, or go out and buy the paper- whichever is cheaper for them to access the day's top stories.
Now that appears to be a fool proof idea. Enter our friend from last week- citizenship journalism. Even if the larger, more trusted, papers are charging online, free little freelance websites with articles written from Jim's neighbour or Sally's sister will remain.
How valued is quality Journalism? Well I think we can say we're safe for now, but will this always be the case? The younger generation are becoming skeptical of larger news media believing them to be driven by commercialism and ownership obligations - so what's to stop them from seeking out a citzen journalist that they 'trust' and boycotting the news that costs money to read?
As journalists it becomes up to us. Up to us to provide news that people cannot go without. Up to us to strive for ethical and objective reporting. Up to us to be the beating heart of the news and pray we can keep the blood flowing.
He has in his sights the introduction of an oline pay wall, where people must pay to access newspaper articles online. But, well, who would do that? Take for example, my writing this blog. I needed a quick article about Murdoch's plan so I googled it, picked the most reputable source from the results provided- The New York Times- and tra la!...I have what I need, without moving from my chair, without spending a cent.
Now why, when it is this easy to access news, would people go out of their way to purchase a newspaper? I know the argument stands that the newspaper remains a tradition in people's lives- on the train to work, with their Sunday coffee- but what for the new generation? The generation that have grown up accustomed to free information at their fingertips?
Murdoch's idea is that if one must pay for online news then they will either do that, or go out and buy the paper- whichever is cheaper for them to access the day's top stories.
Now that appears to be a fool proof idea. Enter our friend from last week- citizenship journalism. Even if the larger, more trusted, papers are charging online, free little freelance websites with articles written from Jim's neighbour or Sally's sister will remain.
How valued is quality Journalism? Well I think we can say we're safe for now, but will this always be the case? The younger generation are becoming skeptical of larger news media believing them to be driven by commercialism and ownership obligations - so what's to stop them from seeking out a citzen journalist that they 'trust' and boycotting the news that costs money to read?
As journalists it becomes up to us. Up to us to provide news that people cannot go without. Up to us to strive for ethical and objective reporting. Up to us to be the beating heart of the news and pray we can keep the blood flowing.
Citizenship Journalism
As I wasn't in class week 3 I decided to do a little digging to discover what people are saying about this phenomenon being dubbed 'citizenship journalism.'
www.responsiblecitizen.co.uk/citizenship-journalism outlines citizenship journalism from the perspective of the citizen- it lists advantages to media outlets claiming it allows for the media to have 'on the spot footage'. It lists the disadvantages as danger to the public and legal risks taken by these untrained journalists.
With the rise of the internet era it was only a matter of time before members of the public took to their computers to have a crack at wriritng articles or headed for their digital cameras to take weather and crime scene photographs however the encouragement this type of Journalism bothers me as a journo-in-training.
Prime weather has a mobile number and email address specifically for members of the public to send their weather photos- a job that once would have been given to a photographer within the station- a position that is no longer required.
With the number of positions for journalists declining this new type of FREE journalism is all too tempting for media outlets trying to save money. The issue that arises from this for Journalism in general is the question of quality. If a media outlet is relying on just anyone for news this can lead to not only legal issues but issues of quality. As a training Journalist where the idea of maintaining quality and ethical journalism is paramount I think using this type of Journalism is just wrong.
www.responsiblecitizen.co.uk/citizenship-journalism outlines citizenship journalism from the perspective of the citizen- it lists advantages to media outlets claiming it allows for the media to have 'on the spot footage'. It lists the disadvantages as danger to the public and legal risks taken by these untrained journalists.
With the rise of the internet era it was only a matter of time before members of the public took to their computers to have a crack at wriritng articles or headed for their digital cameras to take weather and crime scene photographs however the encouragement this type of Journalism bothers me as a journo-in-training.
Prime weather has a mobile number and email address specifically for members of the public to send their weather photos- a job that once would have been given to a photographer within the station- a position that is no longer required.
With the number of positions for journalists declining this new type of FREE journalism is all too tempting for media outlets trying to save money. The issue that arises from this for Journalism in general is the question of quality. If a media outlet is relying on just anyone for news this can lead to not only legal issues but issues of quality. As a training Journalist where the idea of maintaining quality and ethical journalism is paramount I think using this type of Journalism is just wrong.
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