From Television to Twitter, how journalism adapts and expands:
In an age of ever growing technology, the very face of journalism is changing almost daily.
The death of newspapers has been predicted since the advent of television; however, it has proven its resiliency time and time again.
Rupert Murdoch refers to this as “creative destruction”.
He argues this new technology has resulted in tearing down the old ways of mass communication, leading to a new age of choice in news mediums.
However, the common argument is that quality journalism takes time, money and good workers.
Two of the three are just not possible in an era of instantly attainable online news.
Most journalists have to meet deadlines, leaving little time for investigation and source checking.
This partnered with the fact that Internet revenues for advertising are much lower than that of newspapers, has lead to massive cost cutting.
The implications on journalists and society in general could be huge.
It could mean “a serious risk of quality journalism being forsaken due to cost cutting” as Kate Hamilton, stated in a lecture to Newcastle University students.
Cost cutting is not just a trend within the print journalism sector.
Lucas Coleman stated, “jobs are expected to drop by 6.6% within the broadcast journalism industry” during three part lecture on Wednesday, August 19.
In addition to this, the advent of time shift technologies such as TIVO has given viewers the opportunity to skip advertisements, further cutting into revenues.
However, there is some light at the end of the tunnel as newspapers are becoming more lifestyle oriented and are once again focusing on investigation.
Additionally, there are now more niche television shows, print publications and websites.
These may have smaller audiences, but they are more specific, thus allowing for companies to aim advertisements’ at certain cultures.
Therefore, it can be argued that just like the advent of television before the Internet the panic will die down and eventually journalism will find new ways of adapting and responding to technology.
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