JOURNALISM
Journalism has transformed dramatically over
the years. The advancement of technology has helped the media evolve by giving
people a better perspective of how the world is viewed today. Radios,
computers, telephones, and televisions are becoming important tools in the 21st
century. Now people have the opportunity to access global information,
multimedia content, and instantaneous news. Because journalism has become an
important source of gathering information, the history, present, and future of
journalism will be presented.
In 1915, the Massachusetts
Agricultural College first introduced journalism as a major. With a master’s
degree from Harvard and Yale, Robert Wilson Neal taught journalism from 1906 to
1920. At the University of Massachusetts, Neal’s work in modern journalism has
been viewed for over 80 years. There were two books Neal wrote that were
published by Oxford University Press in 1914 and 1918. They were called “Short
Story Writing in the Making,” and “Today’s Short Stories Analyzed.” Also, Neal
had studied law and taught at several universities in the U.S. such as
University of Kansas, University of Cincinnati, and Rutgers College. On May 18,
1915, Neal wrote in an article that the press would be one of strongly
influences in American lives and that it would have an impact on societal
issues such as religion, education, public morals, and it will either have a
positive or negative effect on the community .
There were not any statistics showing how many students actually
joined the major or when it finished. Therefore, Massachusetts Agricultural
College did not create a strong program for journalism. Nonetheless, after
leaving the college, he decided to teach journalistic writing at Home
Correspondence School in Springfield and became vice president and a member of
the board of directors. Unfortunately, in 1939, he died at the age of
sixty-eight .
The opportunities the news media brings is growing in the 21st
century. The wireless communications such as broadband is helping news
organizations by transferring media files faster than ever. Digital tools such
as high digital cameras, personal computers are giving reporters limitless
communication capabilities. The virtual newsrooms have taken journalism to the
next level. Journalists can feel at ease working with electronic emails,
databases, and transmitting media content without any difficulties. Also, news
directors can think of countless possibilities of how to construct newsrooms in
an organized way. A networked computer workstation can provide editors and
producers with limitless opportunities to reconstruct the media content without
having to be concerned about where the computers are located. Limits are not a
concern with virtual newsrooms because it can capture a mass audience. Although
the equipment is cheaper, the audience can have a live video interaction with
news organizations. With virtual newsrooms, reporters can also get equal access
to information, people, and processing power. The significance of virtual
newsrooms is that developing news events can be broadcasted from the exact
location. With this technology available, information presented will contain
higher accuracy.
In the digital age, newsrooms are becoming far more convenient to
journalists because they can edit and produce a video without any
complications. Leadership has become an important role due to technological
advancements. However, new technology can create a few problems. First, the
expenses are high. Second, it can confuse employees who may not be willing to
learn the changes because it may be difficult. There are 3 important principles
a person should follow when introducing new technology. 1) Include newsroom
staff in process of identifying appropriate technology. 2) Provide extensive training
on new technology before expecting staff to use it. 3) Provide sufficient
technical support .
Another important factor is that relationships between
audiences and news organizations must have chemistry together. The press has an
obligation to help citizens become informed about democracy. The press is
considered to be the fourth branch of government and, therefore, protected by
the 1st amendment. However, during recent years, people have drifted away from
the media. “Trust is the glue that holds newsrooms together and ultimately
binds readers to a specific newspaper and to read newspapers in general”(New
York Times). Most people are becoming pessimistic of online journalism.
However, there are three reasons why online journalism is not the problem. Firstly,
online journalism will begin to thrive and will be credible to the audience as
it grows. But for now, it is only starting to gain recognition.
When a journalist writes a newspaper, it is divided into three
parts: a headline, first paragraph, and the remainder of the story. Most people
will read the headline first before reading the article because it is in big
and bold words, which usually is eye-catching. The first paragraph is always
the writer’s focus of the story that would include factual information. The
writer will answer questions using the five W’s, which are Who? What? When?
Where? Why? and How? If a fire broke out, then the writer would answer What? By
answering Who? and Where? The writer would give the location of the fire and
whose properties were affected. The writer would answer the question “When?,”
by giving the time period from the beginning of the fire to the end of the
blaze. By answering “Why?” The writer would mention cigarette butts, which
would be the cause. Finally, by answering “How?” the writer could mention that
the approximate cost of the damage done by the fire .
The future of journalism will change overtime. “If you are a
journalist at the beginning of your career, this is an exciting time to be in,”
(Frum). He believes that the future of media contains limitless opportunities
and by making the media access easier, the market will become a difficult
challenge. However, Starowicz thinks that technology will isolate people and
the wealthy will control the market. Also, he feels that the news media will
become dominant by commercialism of television and the Internet and that
readers will rely on online news media than newspapers or magazines. But from Frum’s
perspective, technology will have a positive impact on the Internet because it
will keep people informed about current events. Nonetheless, Frum and Starowicz
believe that in the near future journalists will face a lot of challenges .
As technology becomes a part of peoples’ lives computers, radios,
and telephones will significantly revolutionize communication. Journalists will
have to learn different skills to deliver news to audiences with strong
information. There is no doubt that telling stories will be the main focus of
journalists. There are 4 key points that will need to be addressed for the
future of news: 1) How will changes in communication technology affect
journalists and news organizations? 2) How can the quality, integrity and
usefulness of the news product be maintained? 3) How can journalists use these
new communication tools to better serve the audience and our society? 4) How
will the audience react to this rapid pace of change? (Newsroom Resources).
Reducing alienation and distrust of media will expand because of
technology. 3 points are usually dominated by journalism. 1) To survey the
world and report the facts as they are best understood. 2) To interpret those
facts in terms of their impact on the local community or society at large. 3)
To provide opinion or editorial guidance on facts, thereby helping create
public opinion on matters of importance and to set an agenda for public
discourse. In the 21st century, journalists will not be the main provider for
news information. Events being interpreted by journalists will grow and change.
As the audience obtains important information and its purpose, the roles of
journalists will need to develop by adding value to their work. Nonetheless,
reconnecting communities will be a vital role for journalists online and off.
This will help the participation of citizens to get involved in public issues
and create a responsive audience .
In conclusion, Massachusetts has become the birthplace of
journalism. With Neal and his accomplishments, he helped transform journalism
to what it is now today. Wireless technology gadgets are providing journalists
with faster media content. Virtual newsrooms are becoming common these days
because it involves the audience to give live feedback with their opinions and giving
journalists the opportunity to report live news media from any location. Also,
leadership roles have become an important aspect in the news industry to help
media expand. Keeping a relationship with an audience will be critical to
journalists who want recognition and respect of their work. Assisting people to
become informed citizens of democracy and telling the truth will build a circle
of trust. Journalists should write articles that will improve their credibility
by presenting factual information. The objective of a journalist will always be
telling news events.
Post a Comment