INFORMATION SCIENCE IN JOURNALISM Genna Gross

WHAT IS JOURNALISM?  The main aspect of journalism is knowing how to construct information.  Journalists use components such as organizing, gathering, and synthesizing, to present information through stories, interviews, and more.  The job of a journalist is to add value to raw information so that the reader will be capable of understanding it.  They do this by making the information more accessible, memorable, putting it into context, and overall increasing the quality of it.

ASPECTS OF JOURNALISM  Journalism is the process of reporting events, information, and stories through a various amount of mediums that can include: newspapers, magazines, books, radio, television, blogs, and social media.  Journalists must provide accurate information, which is what makes data so important in journalism.  Obtaining reliable information is more important than speed when it comes to releasing a piece.  There is a lot of research that comes with the job of being a journalist- this research can be retrieved in ways including: background digging, interviews, and even observation.

TRANSFORMATION OF JOURNALISM  No longer do people solely rely on newspaper for their information, or wait days to receive it.  As events are occurring, they are being updated from multiple sources through a large network of social connections.  “The language of this network is data: little points of information that are often not relevant in a single instance, but massively important when viewed from the right angle”

SOCIAL MEDIA  In our modern society people want their information instantaneously.  With this aspect being crucial, it is influencing journalism as we know it.  The internet and medium of social media are now beneficial tools that journalists for: reporting stories, newsgathering, as well as feedback.

SOCIAL MEDIA  This demand for instant news has challenged the objective of journalists.  This use of social media has often forced journalists to compete with the average citizen when it comes to releasing information to the public.  Journalists need to verify the information before they release it, which is something a common “tweeter” does not have to do.

Is social media and new technology taking over journalism and the news industry?

 Even though it is convenient to have news immediately, there are many downfalls to social media being a news medium.  About 50% of news consumers report receiving “breaking news” from a social media site only to learn the information was false.  Another downfall is that amateur reporters could potentially put themselves in harm’s way just to get the scoop.

DATA  Using data the right way can change the focus of a journalist.  Providing deeper meaning of the information is significantly more important than being the first one to report it.  The real opportunity is to transform the information.  Journalists can make a compelling story when transforming data into something the readers can understand.

DATA JOURNALISM  Data journalists often use digital information to develop intriguing stories.  There are many career opportunities for data journalists.  The media and newsrooms are popular places for careers in journalism; however, there are many more positions.  “Companies and institutions around the world are looking for “sensemakers” and professionals, who know how to dig through data and transform it into something tangible”  Information rules the world- and to be able to write about it effectively, and transform it into something that makes sense, is an appealing skill.

BIBLIOGRAPHY  Bibliography  Diakopoulos, N. (2012, January 2). Journalism as Information Science. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from Musings on Media:  Lorenz, M. (n.d.). Why Journalists Should Use Data. Retrieved May 5, 2014, from Data Journalism Handbook:  Mashable. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2014, from How Social Media is Taking Over the News Industry:  Social Media's Impact on Journalism. (n.d.). Retrieved 05 14, 2014, from Social Media Frontiers: