Markita Briggs
mb702210@ohio.edu
No one can doubt the explosive boom of technology in society that has caused the field of journalism to expand and change its methods of reaching its target audience. Instead of using traditional methods, such as print, television or radio, we are now seeing news outlets expand their horizons and reach consumers via the Internet.
Whether it’s through online journalism, blogs, photojournalism, or various social networks – the opportunities are endless. These new forms allow news to become interactive, and even more importantly, fast. Furthermore, new mediums of communication allow the ordinary person to have a voice and have an even bigger influence of the flow of information.
On the contrary, many would argue that this has caused the field to lose its lack of credibility as the official gatekeepers of news. Accuracy sometimes has fallen off to the wayside. Though we want our public to be active members of the news, we have to wonder: Where do we draw the line?
mb702210@ohio.edu
No one can doubt the explosive boom of technology in society that has caused the field of journalism to expand and change its methods of reaching its target audience. Instead of using traditional methods, such as print, television or radio, we are now seeing news outlets expand their horizons and reach consumers via the Internet.
Whether it’s through online journalism, blogs, photojournalism, or various social networks – the opportunities are endless. These new forms allow news to become interactive, and even more importantly, fast. Furthermore, new mediums of communication allow the ordinary person to have a voice and have an even bigger influence of the flow of information.
On the contrary, many would argue that this has caused the field to lose its lack of credibility as the official gatekeepers of news. Accuracy sometimes has fallen off to the wayside. Though we want our public to be active members of the news, we have to wonder: Where do we draw the line?
In this line of work it is of the utmost importance that
journalists have some type of ethical code which they follow in order to guide
their decision making process. Usually these ethical codes stress truth,
accuracy and minimization of harm. While these topics are all very important, the
issue here at hand here is whether these standards should be the same for both
traditional journalism and online journalism and we find a mutual ground.
Reasons that stuck out to me on why these two groups may differ from each other were pointed out in an article from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (here) The author of the article, Stephen J.A. Ward, points out that the cultures of traditional and online journalism are quite different. While traditional journalist belief in accuracy, pre-publication verification, balance, impartiality and gate-keeping, online journalist are more concerned about immediacy, transparency, partiality, non-professional journalists and post-publication correction.
Reasons that stuck out to me on why these two groups may differ from each other were pointed out in an article from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (here) The author of the article, Stephen J.A. Ward, points out that the cultures of traditional and online journalism are quite different. While traditional journalist belief in accuracy, pre-publication verification, balance, impartiality and gate-keeping, online journalist are more concerned about immediacy, transparency, partiality, non-professional journalists and post-publication correction.
There are plus and minuses to the phenomenon. But for the
sake of saving our field’s credibility, it may be more important to focus on
the negatives. Though the web allows for new opportunity and quick and easy
access to a story, we sometimes encourage those who may not be fully trained to report stories that are relevant and key to the public and join the process.
As a result, two things occur. One, we are challenged with determining what should be considered newsworthy. Second, we become more uncertain of what the actual definition of a true journalist is. For example, the New York Times article "Judge Clarifies That Bloggers Can Be Journalists (Just Not One in Particular)" questions whether bloggers should considered journalist after an Oregon shield law case found a woman not of the title after writing a piece accusing a company of wholesale fraud in a bankruptcy case. (here)
While reading this article I was reminded of a discussion in my Information and News Gathering class about whether we should consider entertainment blogger Perez Hilton an actual journalist.
As a result, two things occur. One, we are challenged with determining what should be considered newsworthy. Second, we become more uncertain of what the actual definition of a true journalist is. For example, the New York Times article "Judge Clarifies That Bloggers Can Be Journalists (Just Not One in Particular)" questions whether bloggers should considered journalist after an Oregon shield law case found a woman not of the title after writing a piece accusing a company of wholesale fraud in a bankruptcy case. (here)
While reading this article I was reminded of a discussion in my Information and News Gathering class about whether we should consider entertainment blogger Perez Hilton an actual journalist.
Perez Hilton is an American personality and blogger who rose
to fame due to his blog, perezhilton.com. The website is mostly known for its
gossip post about celebrities and various entertainers. (here) In the past it has received
criticism for its outlandish attitudes, its former outing of alleged closeted
celebrities and its role in the increasing coverage of celebrities in all forms
of media.
He is a prime example of how an ordinary citizen is elevated to the title of journalist just by taking advantage of digital advancements. Incidences such as this should force us to want to come up with a more clear definition of what our field is and who composes it.
He is a prime example of how an ordinary citizen is elevated to the title of journalist just by taking advantage of digital advancements. Incidences such as this should force us to want to come up with a more clear definition of what our field is and who composes it.
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