INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

FOR JOURNALISTS
 Human existence & communication
• The human existence is a web of relationships in which
communication is central
• networks of kinship and friendship central to keeping
communities together (Klein’s paper on Tocqueville)
• New ICTs are an extension if not an addition to such
networks (Castells, 2001)
• Communication & distance;
• Long-distance communication beginning with the
telegraph and electricity engenders new ways of doing
things and new cultures emerge through connection of
people with distant communities (see Carey, 2009).
 What is journalism?
• In the 21st century, it is no longer straightforward to define journalism. Fenton
(2010) says “journalism comes in many forms – from the entertainment-
driven & celebrity-laden to the more serious & politically focused”.
• Journalism therefore means many different things to different people
• With the advent of new ICTs, we also have new forms of journalism such as
citizen journalism, while others, such as photojournalism are being enhanced
• Ideally we think of journalism as writing or story telling using various media
such as print, radio, TV etc
• It is also a profession whose main import especially in “democratic” societies
is to keep the public informed about important events & issues in order to
help them make informed choices; in this way, journalism is seen as
important in holding those in power accountable, hence terms like the Fourth
Estate, watchdog etc
• But journalism could also refer to telling stories about the lurid lives of
celebrities, which why is we should not have a narrow definition
 Journalism, expectations & democracy
• Journalism is strongly linked to democracy. Indeed,
the state of journalism is seen as one of the
yardsticks of how democratic a society is
• For many, journalism is the lifeblood of democracy
as citizens depend on accurate news to make
decisions & to participate meaningfully in society
• We therefore have expectations of what journalism
ought to be or to be doing; this includes “to
monitor, to hold to account & to facilitate &
maintain deliberation” (Fenton, 2010)
 Journalism & information gathering
• Information gathering is central to journalism
• In its earlier days, journalism relied on scribes describing
events they witnessed physically
• Interviews were also carried out in physical settings
• The most important events were political & business (as
described in Habermas, 1989); parliamentary proceedings
occupied most of the pamphlets & newsletters;
• Also announcements on issues concerning trade; the new
merchant class was the main public
• Our concern with technological evolution is therefore how
it has affected gathering & disseminating information
 Old Media Technologies
• Every medium was “new” when it was invented (James
Carey, 2003)
• Group discussion on characteristics of the “old
technologies”
• Print
• Telegraph
• Telephone
• Radio
• Television
• Telefax
Old Typewriter 1
Old typewriter 2
Old TV
Old computer 1
Old computer 2
 References
• Agre, Phillip, E. (2002), “Real-Time Politics: The
Internet and the Political Process”. In The
Information Society, Vol. 18, No. 5: pp. 311-331
• Croteau, D. & Hoynes, W. (2003). Media Society:
Industries, images and audiences. London: Pine
Forge Press
• McLuhan, M. (1964/2003), Understanding the
Extensions of Man. London & NY: Calif: Gingko
Press
• Nicol, C. (2003). Information and Communication
Technology Policy: A Beginner’s Handbook.
Johannesburg: APC.
• Norris, P. (2001), Digital Divide: Civic Engagement,
Information Poverty, and the Internet Worldwide.
Cambridge: CUP
• Peters, J., D. (1999), Speaking into the Air: A
History of the Idea of Communication. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press
• Wasserman, Herman, & de Beer, Arnold, S.
(2004), “E-governance and e-publicanism:
preliminary perspectives on the role of the
Internet in South African democratic processes”.
In Communicatio, Vol. 30, No. 1: pp. 64-89