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What is media convergence?

―phenomenon involving the interlocking of computing and

information technology companies, telecommunications
networks, and content providers from the publishing worlds of
newspapers, magazines, music, radio, television, films, and
entertainment software. Media convergence brings together the
―three Cs‖—

computing, communications, and

content.‖

- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

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The challenges ahead

 Shift
from writing to editing will prove to be
a big ethical challenge
 Television,print and online journalism each
have their own culture
 They should be unified, despite differences
in approach, by objectivity and public
service
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Is video use central to online
publishing?
―I don‘t think we should pretend it‘s the
first point of all our stories. The core of
what we do is content.‖

- Anne Spackman
Editor, The Times Online
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The Core Skills of a Journalist

 Being able to write quickly, clearly and accurately.

 Being able to spell and having excellent grammar,

 Being able to write snappy headlines

 Possessing the ability to spot a strong story.

 Nowadays, are they enough?

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Do journalists need to be ‗all
rounders‘?
 ―If you want a video journalist you probably ought to hire one.‖

 Footage can be taken on phonesopportunity for viewers to

send in their experiences – Steve Purcell from The Mirror

 Uploading of videos by all citizens undermine the position of

journalists in society
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Does the addition of
multimedia to text
stories make them
better?
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The changing face of journalism

Journalism is moving towards a more

multimedia based means of
transmitting information.
Journalists are expected to be
proficient with filming, editing,
photography and internet publication.
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New breeds of journalist

―Mojo‖ – Mobile Journalist

―Sojo‖ – Solo Journalist

 Independent journalists doing the job of a whole news team

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―The mobile journalist concept has
been embraced by management at
many newspapers trying to keep
their corporations profitable in an
era of increasingly fractured and
declining audiences‖.

P.H. Martyn
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The advantages of Mojos and Sojos

 Cheaper then sending out entire news crews

 Can cover a greater amount of news then their traditional

counterparts

 Mojos may increase news readership among a younger

demographic

 Sojos can report live, upload copy virtually instantaneously and

almost cover the world in real time
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―Sojos have had a devastating
impact on the immediacy and depth
of television and web coverage …
News junkies across the globe have
responded … by tripling the traffic to
key websites. In some cases, such
as CNN, traffic has leapt tenfold‖.

Mark Hollands
The Australian
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Speed over depth?

 1991 Gulf War – television the accepted medium for breaking

new

 Newspapers respond by adding graphics, maps and

―explainers‖ to their product

 Reporters on the field filed copy on what they

witnessed, editors added context at home

 Today the emphasis is on speed of information rather than

depth

 Contextualisationof news is not always carried out

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Pros and cons of high speed
technologies

Make it possible to deliver

information in record time
Reduce the amount of time available
for the working journalist to think,
reflect, evaluate, shape, craft and
contextualize the news
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The threat of Mojos and Sojos to
Traditional Media
 Critical role of the media could be under threat as journalists
increasingly simply relay the line of self-interested parties

 Gatekeeper role of the media under threat from mojo and

sojojournalists

 Solo video journalists today – preoccupied with camera angles

and technicalities rather than critical facts?
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The impact for local news

 Hyper-local news - constant updating of news on

the internet in local areas by journalists
 Often done by citizen journalists and bloggers
 Succeedswhere newspapers fail: keeping
people aware of local news at all times
 Community members with specialized skills can
contribute
A great advance in investigative journalism or a
loss of respect for the industry?
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―These technologies ought to be
employed by experienced
journalists and media managers
should ensure that the traditional
gatekeeper roles not be bypassed.‖

Martyn
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In conclusion…

 Technologyis simply a means for journalists to

do what they have always done only better
 Critical
analysis should not be sacrificed in
favour of speed
 Finding balance between the increase in the
need casting a critical eye over those in power
is journalism‘s next big challenge.
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Thank you

Now what do you think?