With the constant technological developments, both the media and the law are constantly playing catch up, and while there is uncertainty with their roles, they must continue to consider their international responsibilities. The concept of the ‘global village’ developed as a global media audience was created through the advancement of new technologies. With the development of this global media audience, big corporations have seen the opportunities available to dominate the global media, and these corporations not only earn billions through their various companies but also hold a lot power as well. Obviously with ten corporations controlling the world’s media there are concerns over the concentration of ownership, however different voices do not guarantee different opinions. Editor-in-chief of The Age, Steve Harris, argues “...diversity of ownership and diversity of source has never guarantee diversity of opinion, and... independent ownership has never guaranteed quality, just as group ownership does not guarantee the absence of quality.” (Harris cited in Breit, 2001, p. 214-215) However it cannot be denied that there is a greater danger of less diversity with less voices and that these corporations can and have used the media for their own agenda. Further more the joint ventures between the ten corporations in control of the world’s media dominate smaller markets and many believe they will soon move towards having greater control over new technologies, such as internet. Also O’Shaughnessy & Stadler argue that the media’s dependency on global content could mean that the convergence of media technology leads to “...sensationalism, trivialisation, generalisation, recycling of content, and lack of diversity of information. This standardisation of content can decrease the substance and efficiency of communication, just as easily as convergence can enrich communication by providing more options for senders and receivers of messages...” (O’Shaughnessy & Stadler, 2005, p. 437)
Particularly important is the fact that the global media has not created a global voice. As the media is owned by large corporations this means the media is treated as any other business, and that the media has to packaged to ‘sell’ as well as being cost-effective. This packaging has a detrimental affect on the diversity of voices, as the ‘packages’ are added at a specific group within the audience rather than at the world. “Globalisation has resulted in standardisation of information and audience with large sections of the world left under-represented.” (Gerbner cited in Breit, 2001, p. 216) All these factors relate to concern that commercial interests are setting the news agendas rather than the public’s right to be informed.
With both the media and the law being jeopardized by globalisation, journalists must accept the changing of their role whist attempting to uphold their developed ethics and responsibility to society. And hopefully the law will eventually be able to keep up with these developments and come up with an international law that protects journalists and closely monitors the TNCs who control the media.
Resources
O’Shaughnessy, M & Stadler, J 2005, Media and Society: An Introduction,3rd edn, Oxford University Press, Victoria
Tapsall, S & Varley, C (eds) 2001, Journalism: Theory in Practice, Oxford University Press, Victoria
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Citizen Journalism
As journalism has evolved and technology has developed one of the biggest changes to journalism practice is that journalism now forms public opinion rather reporting on public opinion. Carey suggests this is because of the convergence of journalism with the entertainment industry have caused the lines to become blurred. “The press no longer facilitated or animated a public conversation, for public conversations had disappeared. It informed a passive and privatised group of citizens who participated in politics through the press. What conversation remained was orchestrated by the press in the name of a superior knowledge and superior instruments of inquiry into just what was going on.” (Carey cited in Tapsall & Varley, 2001, p. 43) This dissatisfaction with the media, coupled with the accessibility of technology has lead to the development of citizen journalism. Gramsci proposes ‘intergral journalism’ which “...aims not only to satisfy all the needs of its public, but also to create and develop these needs, to arouse the public and to progressively enlarge it.” (Gramsci cited in Tapsall & Varley, 2001, p.45) This concept is also linked to Jay Rosen’s notion of community or citizen journalism. The concept of citizen journalism allows the public to examine its cultural role, and uncover some of the economic power behind the news. “Cultural forms , like the media, and cultural practices, like journalism, continue to make a significant contribution to the way in which we ‘imagine’ ourselves and communities.” (Tapsall & Varley, 2001, p.46) Romano and Hippocrates suggest that not only has the increased availability and saturation of technology lead to citizen journalism but also the lack of traditional media outlets addressing topics that are actually of interest to their audience. Public journalism lets the public decide what is reported, rather than those in power and it aims to include the public in discussion and the decision making processes. What supporters of citizen journalism consider the flaws of traditional journalism is this failure to link to community, and it is this they suggest that this leads many away from traditional methods of receiving the news to newer forums. However there are justified concerns regarding citizen journalism, in particular that it will erode the professional standards of journalists and that a poor quality of professional writing will also be prevalent. It is also argued that a sense of duty to the community could also interfere with journalists presenting the truth to that said community.
However as argue in the ‘Global Digital Journalism: A Transformative Moment’ video, citizen journalism give the public access to information that would not get otherwise, and as highlighted by Joyce Barnathan (the presenter) the information is of a high quality, and should not be dismissed as amateur, because the technology is allowing citizens around the globe to share information with the world. Without the presence of citizen journalism, some of these stories would never be told, and there is an important level of authenticity to this, as it is often told by those affect or part of the story. Barnathan also discusses how she believes Google to be the most powerful news source, setting the agenda for readers worldwide and questions how they can control the integrity and quality of news sources on the internet. This video is quite long, but definitely worth a look, Barnathan covers many of the major questions facing modern journalism; citizen journalism, the journalists’ role, technological changes and how this impact on journalism ethics.
Citizen journalism will continue to raise many questions for journalists around the world, and being a new development only time will tell whether it will have a positive or negative impact on journalism. From this research and the Jay Rosen conference viewed in class, it appears as if citizen journalism could have some real benefits for the public, but could be potentially harmful to the traditional journalist’s role.
Global Digital Journalism: A transformative Moment Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBB8zzgJAF0
Resources
Barnathan, J 2007, Global Digital Journalism: A Tranformative Moment, video, viewed 16 August 2008 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBB8zzgJAF0>
Tapsall, S & Varley, C (eds) 2001, Journalism: Theory in Practice, Oxford University Press, Victoria
However as argue in the ‘Global Digital Journalism: A Transformative Moment’ video, citizen journalism give the public access to information that would not get otherwise, and as highlighted by Joyce Barnathan (the presenter) the information is of a high quality, and should not be dismissed as amateur, because the technology is allowing citizens around the globe to share information with the world. Without the presence of citizen journalism, some of these stories would never be told, and there is an important level of authenticity to this, as it is often told by those affect or part of the story. Barnathan also discusses how she believes Google to be the most powerful news source, setting the agenda for readers worldwide and questions how they can control the integrity and quality of news sources on the internet. This video is quite long, but definitely worth a look, Barnathan covers many of the major questions facing modern journalism; citizen journalism, the journalists’ role, technological changes and how this impact on journalism ethics.
Citizen journalism will continue to raise many questions for journalists around the world, and being a new development only time will tell whether it will have a positive or negative impact on journalism. From this research and the Jay Rosen conference viewed in class, it appears as if citizen journalism could have some real benefits for the public, but could be potentially harmful to the traditional journalist’s role.
Global Digital Journalism: A transformative Moment Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBB8zzgJAF0
Resources
Barnathan, J 2007, Global Digital Journalism: A Tranformative Moment, video, viewed 16 August 2008 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBB8zzgJAF0>
Tapsall, S & Varley, C (eds) 2001, Journalism: Theory in Practice, Oxford University Press, Victoria
Monday, August 11, 2008
What is Journalism?
Journalism is difficult to define. A journalist, in particular a professional and ethical journalist has many roles and expectations to fulfil and as technology continues to change so do these roles and functions. Journalists are expected to provide the public with the truth, and be the watchdogs of society whilst presenting the information gathered in objective manner. They reach their audience by presenting information, ideas and opinions to the public. They also seek to record history, question, entertain and scrutinise. Clearly such an important role comes with responsibility to their audience and society. Peter Cave, a former presenter of the ABC’s AM program defines journalism as “...the simple answer is a journalist is an intermediary between the people who want to know information and the sources of information...at the same time, the journalist is a filter of information...and that’s where the danger lies.” ( Cave cited in Tapsall & Varley, 2001, p. 6) Although it can be difficult, journalists strive to present objective views, and part of this is ensuring that the public has all the facts, to make an informed opinion. Furthermore it is the sense of public duty that separates journalists from those in other professions who also present information and ideas to the public- their motivation should be completely separate from any personal or commercial interests.
Beyond this social responsibility and passion, journalists also need to be a ‘jack of all trades’ with a huge array of skills necessary. They need strong communication skills, obviously excellent writing abilities, a working knowledge of technology, interview skills, ability to work under pressure, good listening skills and a desire to ask questions and seek the truth.
However these expectations of journalism can be viewed as idealistic, with various other pressures ruling what is considered news and what gets reported, and how it is reported. News outlets are attempting to appeal to different audiences, and this impacts on how the information is communicated, at the same time they try to please the employer, thus the focus shifts so that journalists priorities are to be commercially profitable rather than acting as a fourth estate. And in reality it must be acknowledged that journalism and the media is a business, and they have to make concessions to continue to be profitable. This however has had a negative impact on the way the public views journalists- the growing commercialism of the media, has made the public question journalists integrity, and it has caused some to view them in a negative light- seeing journalists as dishonest and being ruled by commercial interests. “The reporter was once, at the most basic level, communicating with an audience. But in today’s high concept journalism, where the most complex ideas must fit into a black and white box, reporters are no more than assembly line workers packaging information. (Underwood cited in Tapsall & Varley, 2001, p. 24) Hurst and White also add “The trouble is that facts may be sacred but they do not necessarily convey a true picture. While journalists often defend themselves against allegations of unethical practice by saying they just want to reveal the facts, the process of news gathering and presentation means that facts are selected, weighted and often discarded in the production of any news story.” ( Hurst & White cited in Conley & Lamble, 2006, p. 23) And the expanding use of technology further impacts on journalistic style and content. “Some argue this has led to a victory of style over substance.” (Grattan cited in Burns, 2002,p.5) Also the growing presence of technology has also lead to a shift in the way the audience receives their news and also allows them to participate in a much more active way.
While the challenges faced by journalists are often a complex balance between the publics’ interests and your employer’s commercial interests, it is the role of the modern journalist is to negate these challenges to the best of their ability with an understanding that they have the power to act responsibility and professionally. “...every decision is at once an ethical decision, a professional decision and a commercial decision.” (Burns, 2002,p. 10)
Resources
Burns, S. L 2002, Understanding Journalism, Sage Publications, London
Conley, D & Lamble, S 2006, The Daily Miracle: An Introduction to Journalism, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, New York
Tapsall, S & Varley, C (eds) 2001, Journalism: Theory in Practice, Oxford University Press, Victoria
Beyond this social responsibility and passion, journalists also need to be a ‘jack of all trades’ with a huge array of skills necessary. They need strong communication skills, obviously excellent writing abilities, a working knowledge of technology, interview skills, ability to work under pressure, good listening skills and a desire to ask questions and seek the truth.
However these expectations of journalism can be viewed as idealistic, with various other pressures ruling what is considered news and what gets reported, and how it is reported. News outlets are attempting to appeal to different audiences, and this impacts on how the information is communicated, at the same time they try to please the employer, thus the focus shifts so that journalists priorities are to be commercially profitable rather than acting as a fourth estate. And in reality it must be acknowledged that journalism and the media is a business, and they have to make concessions to continue to be profitable. This however has had a negative impact on the way the public views journalists- the growing commercialism of the media, has made the public question journalists integrity, and it has caused some to view them in a negative light- seeing journalists as dishonest and being ruled by commercial interests. “The reporter was once, at the most basic level, communicating with an audience. But in today’s high concept journalism, where the most complex ideas must fit into a black and white box, reporters are no more than assembly line workers packaging information. (Underwood cited in Tapsall & Varley, 2001, p. 24) Hurst and White also add “The trouble is that facts may be sacred but they do not necessarily convey a true picture. While journalists often defend themselves against allegations of unethical practice by saying they just want to reveal the facts, the process of news gathering and presentation means that facts are selected, weighted and often discarded in the production of any news story.” ( Hurst & White cited in Conley & Lamble, 2006, p. 23) And the expanding use of technology further impacts on journalistic style and content. “Some argue this has led to a victory of style over substance.” (Grattan cited in Burns, 2002,p.5) Also the growing presence of technology has also lead to a shift in the way the audience receives their news and also allows them to participate in a much more active way.
While the challenges faced by journalists are often a complex balance between the publics’ interests and your employer’s commercial interests, it is the role of the modern journalist is to negate these challenges to the best of their ability with an understanding that they have the power to act responsibility and professionally. “...every decision is at once an ethical decision, a professional decision and a commercial decision.” (Burns, 2002,p. 10)
Resources
Burns, S. L 2002, Understanding Journalism, Sage Publications, London
Conley, D & Lamble, S 2006, The Daily Miracle: An Introduction to Journalism, 3rd edn, Oxford University Press, New York
Tapsall, S & Varley, C (eds) 2001, Journalism: Theory in Practice, Oxford University Press, Victoria
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