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Journalism and the Internet
Introduction
As a communication major with a focus on journalism, the internet has changed the entire outlook of how people throughout the world are able to communicate the information that is most important to them. Rather than having newspapers and telegrams as the only medium for sending and receiving information, the internet has exploded, becoming a worldwide phenomenon and an extremely important part of journalism all over the world. Newspapers, which are only able to give information that happened the day before, are too slow for the fast-moving pace of today’s world. Online newspapers are helping fix this by showing the same information online that would be in the newspaper, but more up-to-date, able to update its content at any time. People want things faster than ever nowadays and the internet is doing its part to please them. News is now relayed from one part of the world to the other nonstop every day. It has created new job opportunities and possibilities that were once considered impossible. In the blink of an eye, a journalist can write an article over the internet and continually update that article with new, more accurate information with the simple click of a button on the computer. These online journalists not only write full articles but also blogs, a form of online journalism where a writer regularly updates their content at will, which have rapidly taken over as one of the main sources of internet writing today. Because of computer technology, the internet has had a very beneficial impact in the growth of communication and journalism.
Background
The creation of the internet journalism has had a very promising beginning since its start. It has created new job opportunities ranging from typical article journalists to bloggers. Now, with the creation of blogging, it is possible to update an online entry at any time they choose, where up-to-the-minute information was not possible with print news. The amount of bloggers has grown tremendously over the years and only seems to be growing more each day. While the print news was the main source of communicating and receiving information, electronic news is a huge step forward in technology and bringing people up to date with happenings around the world. Print news would only be able to bring information from the day before, but more can happen with the creation of the internet and electronic news. This change from print to electronic news is one that has changed the way the world views information.
Benefits
Rather than waiting for tomorrow in order to receive today’s news from around the world, online journalism creates the ability to read what is happening at that exact moment. As stated by the Center of Journalism Ethics, “One of the greatest benefits of online journalism is its ability to reach millions of people almost instantaneously. When a volcano erupts in Mexico, news will reach radio-listeners, web-news readers, and international bloggers within hours, if not minutes. Recently, Hurricane Katrina in the southern United States exemplified this situation. The whole world followed news-coverage of the disaster. Networks and newspapers competed to break the first and most heart-rending stories” (Salcito, 2009). When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans online journalists were, as stated above, able to relay detailed information to readers as soon as possible. This would not have been possible without the internet. Without pictures shown online and fast reporting, the story would not have had the same impact as it does because of everything the internet can offer.
Writers of the original newspaper are virtually unable to do much of what journalists over the internet are able to do. Stuart Allan, author of Online News: Journalism and the Internet, writes that “for those in the newspaper industry, it was becoming increasingly obvious that they would not be able to complete with their electronic rival where breaking news was concerned. This was particularly so at a time of crisis, when people’s need for information to provide context to rapidly unfolding events was of paramount importance” (Allan, 2006). Breaking news, in the form of original newspaper, means it is a day old. That is just the unfortunate reality. But breaking news in online journalism means the reader will be getting information right away, almost instantaneously. The benefits are incredible.
The continual rise in blogging has also added to the explosion of the internet and popularity of online writing. The making of blogs has “created space for survivors to post first-person accounts, photographs, and video items, as wells as message boards for those hoping to post appeals for information about relatives, friends, and colleagues” (Allan, 2006). Online journalism adds elements that the newspaper will never be able to do: blogs, message boards for feedback from readers, and videos. As a communication major, these elements are great additions to the world of journalism. The blogs help add a dimension of personality, while the message boards help create a friendly environment between readers who want to interact and write about things involving a certain topic written by a journalist. With the internet and e-mail capabilities, an open relationship from the journalist to the reader -- and vice versa -- is created so that if there was any confusion about something that was written, it can be cleared up as quickly as possible. Videos are obviously another huge component to the internet, as they give information through a visual aid, helping to put images and pictures to words.
Finally, news on the internet helps stop ethnocentric thinking. For those who are unable to get the newspaper at their homes or at work, the internet is an easy way to read the news and find out information around the world quickly and easily. Therefore, rather than not knowing any information regarding other cultures, religions, and countries, they can read over the internet and watch videos showing this important information. As stated by News 10, The Pew Research Center for the People and the Press did a survey showing “that consumers are making recent technology part of their news habits and are spending more time following what’s going on in the world” (Johnson, 2010). The survey showed that “people now spend an average of 13 minutes per day getting news online…roughly 33 percent of people Pew surveyed said they went online for news the previous day” (Johnson, 2010). Having the ability to go online to get news is a tremendous benefit and a relief to those unable to get the newspaper elsewhere.
Future Uses of Internet
I do not believe that there are many new future uses of internet capabilities regarding the retrieval of news and other information. One possibility, though, is the addition of online newspapers charging its customers to read its content, as it is more profitable for the newspaper company to charge a fee for viewing the site. The Times Newspaper in London, England will be charging its customers to view the content, claiming that “At a defining moment for journalism, this is a crucial step towards making the business of news an economically exciting proposition,” said Rebekah Brooks, chief executive at News International. “We are proud of our journalism and unashamed to say that we believe it has value.” (CNN News, 2010). If customers believe it is worth paying to read content online, a profit could be made and be very beneficial to online journalism.
Conclusion
The internet has become a huge success within the world of journalism and it will likely continue to grow each day. The transition from print newspaper to online newspaper has been one with many benefits including blogs, fast updating, and easier communication between the readers and the journalist. Long-lasting effects should be made because of the explosion of the internet and electronic news. Journalism has come a long way and the internet is continuing to grow and bring new ideas to the world of journalism.
References
1.) Allan, S. (2006). Online news: Journalism and the internet. New York, NY:McGraw-Hill
International
Stuart Allan’s book explained many in-depth scenarios that occur within journalism and the internet. It hit on many examples of how journalists use the internet, which was a perfect citation for me to use. Allan provided analysis of how journalism is evolving on the internet and possibilities for online journalism in the future.
2.) Salcito, K. (2009). Online Journalism Ethics: Speed and Accuracy. Center for Journalism
Ethics. Retrieved October 3, 2010, from http://www.journalismethics.ca/online_journalism_ethics/speed_and_accuracy.htm
On this website, Kendyl Salcito explained the ethics of journalism, while also saying how useful the evolution of online news is when compared to print news. Writing for the Center of Journalism Ethics, she provided analysis about how the internet is used to bring the breaking news stories to people all over the world instantaneously. The print news is unable to do this, therefore electronic news is a great resource to have.
3.) CNN News. (2010, September 26). CNN News Station (TV). Washington, D.C.: Cable News
Network
CNN News station had made reference to The Times of London, a UK newspaper, charging its customers to read its content, which I felt would be good to write about in the “future uses” section of my paper. While only a few newspapers charge to read online, it could be something that could be very profitable as times goes on.
4.) Johnson, C. (2010, September 12). News consumers making transition to online, newer
technologies. News 10 ABC Network. Retrieved October 1, 2010 from
http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=95273&catid=5
News 10 Television station had a good article online about a study done by the Pew Research Center which showed how people who normally do not read print newspaper, are becoming aware of news online and accessing it through the internet. It was a good reference to show how the internet can benefit society by reading and learning more about things going on in society when print news is unavailable to them.
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