Chapter 17 Journalism in the Digital Age

The Rise of the Digital Age Production of traditional newspaper is costly and has a high barrier to entry TV, cable and now the Internet have challenged the traditional newspaper business model Push is for instant information 24 hour news stations-1980 Internet-continuous, live PgP BUSA331 Chapter 172

The Rise of ‘Citizen Journalism’ Ubiquitous cell phone cameras enable citizen journalism Video, tweets, , IM from a multitude of low cost or no cost sources competing with traditional journalists Newspapers experimenting with new business models, combining free and paid digital content PgP BUSA331 Chapter 173

Traditional Versus Digital Journalism Traditional model-scare information, limited access, linear (page by page) Digital model-abundant information, unlimited access, non-linear(hyperlink), sacrifice accuracy for speed? Professional journalists have credo of impartiality, citizen journalists have their own bias PgP BUSA331 Chapter 174

Advantages of Digital Journalism Low production and distribution costs Audio, video equipment prices keep dropping, getting better Can write stories in the field, think tablet Make use of social networks for background info, but may infringe copyright International audience PgP BUSA331 Chapter 175

Drawbacks of Digital Journalism Creates information overload Creates news aggregators Lack of editing, professionalism PgP BUSA331 Chapter 176

Why Professionalism Matters Originally American press had a political bias Eventually culminated in yellow journalism and the Spanish-American war Time for reform, advent of professionalism Fairness, objectivity, accuracy But decline began with conglomerates pushing news outlets to become profit centers Digital journalism may accelerate the decline PgP BUSA331 Chapter 177

Importance of Fact Checking ‘If it is on the Internet it must be true’ is not a good maxim to practice journalism by Spanish villa birthday party-picked up from social network, never fact-checked, was from embellished 16 year olds account. Newspapers sued Wikipedia-bogus Maurice Jarre quote PgP BUSA331 Chapter 178

Dangers and Failings of Citizen Journalism Inaccurate, poorly researched misleading Legal, ethical implications often ignored No editorial oversight, standards PgP BUSA331 Chapter 179

News Formats Discussion Boards-beware of graffiti Hyperlocal Websites-emphasize reader input Blogs-protected by shield laws…in some states Live Blogging-may harm broad revenue RSS-automates distribution of content Podcasting-beware of combining media-copyright Wikis-quick updating, but defamation due to lack of oversight? PgP BUSA331 Chapter 1710