Digital and online journalism has changed the face of journalism and the way in which consumers access the news. The way in which the public and journalists alike, access news and information on the internet is possible through a variety of channels.
“Mark Deuze, an assistant professor at the University of Amsterdam, identifies four types of online journalism, these include, mainstream news sites, search engines such as yahoo and google, media watchdogs and media discussion groups and lastly ‘share and discussion’ sites� (Reuven, 2002: 38).
The first type of online journalism is the mainstream news site. Mainstream news sites offer a selection of editorial content and also a moderated form of participatory communication. Some of these online news outlets include sites such as ABC News and CNN. These web sites are very important as they “act as indexes to the vast field of online news.� (Hall, 2001: 32) Since the role of these news sites is primarily editorial, web links are provided within each story in order to provide a more holistic view of the issue being discussed.
The second type of online journalism represents search engines that assimilate news from existing services for subscribers and also offer links to various mainstream news sites. “Online journalism doesn’t only make news and comment available on the Internet, it directs consumers towards the sea of information from governmental, quasi-governmental and corporate agencies and provides navigation charts� (Hall, 2001: 37) through such avenues as search engines like google and yahoo.
Personal websites and weblogs are also included in this category of online journalism. Weblogs are “websites run mostly by individuals, as opposed to professional news organizations, that are updated regularly using content management software.� (Kawamoto, 2003: 16) There is debate however, as to whether personal pages and weblogs qualifies as digital journalism, as there content can be somewhat irrelevant, inaccurate and unreliable.
The third type of online journalism is made up primarily of sites that discuss media content and act as a media watchdog. These websites are mainly concerned with content regulation on the Internet, enabling the public to discuss and debate such issues with other like-minded people. Such discussions can be informative as they help people formulate and revise their own perspectives by creating a forum to articulate their ideas, listen to what others have to say, and respond to different points of view. (Kawamoto, 2003: 13)
Lastly, the fourth category consists of ‘share and discussion’ sites. These provide place for exchanging ideas “often centered around a specific locality/community, or a particular theme such as worldwide anti-globalization activism or computer news� (Reuven, 2002: 38). These web sites exist for a variety of reasons including, information sharing, companionship, support, romance, advice, commerce and criticism to name a few. “The content circulated in these groups often provides alternative or supplemental sources of news and information, albeit with differing degrees of credibility, than that collected and distributed by mainstream media.� (Kawamoto, 2003: 15)
It is through these four types categories that create the framework for online journalism. Although there are some critics of digital journalism that think that the ‘real news’ may get lost in the array of new technologies or in the chaos of ‘too much information’ it is important to remember that online news sites are extremely valuable. They deliver and transmit up to the minute breaking news to the public, provide interactive and engaging content that can build audience relations and on a day to day basis act as an invaluable source of entertainment and information.
Hall, J. (2001) Online Journalism, London: Pluto Press
Reuven, F. (2002) News About News, New Leader; vol. 85, no. 5, pp.38-41. [Online] Available: Ebsco Host Academic Search Elite Database. [Accessed 7. Sep. 2004]
Kawamoto, K. (2003) Digital Journalism: Emerging Media and the Changing Horizons of Journalism, Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc.
Kellie McCall 17:40, 19 Oct 2004 (EST)
