User:Brigid Andersen

Brigid Andersen 14:46, 6 Aug 2004 (EST) Brigid Andersen 16:15, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)

New Technologies and Journalism: the Developement of Digital Journalism

Barkin, Steve. M, 2003, American Television News: The media marketplace and the public interest M. E. Sharpe, Inc., New York ISBN 0-7656-0923-1 

Steven Barkin documents the emergence of television news since the 1980s in the United States, citing Ted Turner’s establishment of the Cable News Network (CNN) in 1980 as a revolution which, in the next few decades, would turn television news upside down. Barkin’s text American Television News: the media marketplace and the public interest notes that media power has been captured by fewer than 10 global conglomerates, and due to new technologies in the internet, cable television, broadcasting, radio, newspapers and book publications they have been able to have multiple presences around the globe.

Barkin outlines how Turner transformed CNN from a small UHF station broadcasting from Atlanta, into a 24 hour global news program. Turner’s plan was to build an all-electronic newsroom, its systems tied together by computer and satellites. Today CNN broadcasts across the globe in nine languages over the Internet, radio and television.

American Television News also accuses some forms of local news of using new media technology to create hype and for self-promotion. Barkin says how technology is used as a gimmick, in cases where live reports and helicopter-based coverage are all there for show. He accuses the newscast of self promotion in their use of cars and vans and satellites as billboards to advertise the product.

Barkin’s book American Television News gives detailed information on the ownership of media in the West and he questions the social, cultural, economic and technical changes that have come about over the last few decades to shape the media.

Fidler, R, (1997) MediaMorphosis: Understanding New Media Pine Forge Press, California, ISBN 0-8039-9086-3 

Roger Fidler’s book MediaMorphosis deals with the impact of the digital revolution on communication media. He outlines the changes that have occurred on communication media from the telegram to wireless technology. Fidler discusses regulation of the media, and the concerns that arise when the media is published electronically. He suggests that in a matter of years portable information appliances will be available which will function like “electric paper� through the use of satellite and cable TV channels as well as broadband telephone lines:

“This of course, begs the question: If a newspaper is no longer mechanically printed on paper and is delivered via a cable TV or direct broadcast satellite channel, should it be treated as a print medium, be regulated as an electronic broadcast medium, or possibly be required to function as a common carrier (if it simply aggregates content from many sources without applying editorial controls)?� (Fidler, R, 1997, p 127)

Fidler also discusses the economic factors relating to advances in technology in the communication industry, in regards to newspapers, magazines, television and radio. He argues that changes in technology often benefit different people at different stages of its growth. For example, he says that with the internet, those that were benefiting economically originally were the providers of software – this still tends to be the case, and only gradually have those who publish on the internet seen some kind of economic gain.

Herbert, J. (2000) Journalism in the Digital Age: Theory and Practice for Broadcast, Print and Online Media, Oxford: Focal Press, ISBN 0240515897 

Herbert’s Text, Journalism in the Digital Age discusses the effects of new media technology on journalism. He focuses on the use of satellites and wireless technology combined with digital cameras which enable journalists to report and send visuals instantly from the field to consumers.

Herbert also examines online journalism and the different ways in which an online news service can work, dealing with the ethics associated with this. Herbert argues that new technology in journalism is helping audiences receive a wider range of information on a 24 hour basis.

Overall Herbert discusses how new media technology is having a positive effect on journalism while also outlining the ethics and laws that are important when new technology enables journalists to report in a new way.

Johnston, C. (2003) Digital Deception American Journalism Review

, Vol. 25, p10 ISBN 10678654 :In her text Digital Deception, Cheryl Johnston discusses the impact of new technologies in journalism on photojournalism ethics. She attributes the opportunity for immoral journalism to new technologies such as digital cameras, satellite phones and wireless laptops. Johnston argues that these technologies make it easy for photographers to manipulate images whilst in the field, and then send them back to the newsroom instantaneously for publication.

Johnston uses the example of former Los Angeles Times photographer Brian Walski manipulating photographs while in Iraq in 2003. Johnston describes how Walski was unhappy with the photographs he had shot while ducking for cover from bullets on a particular day in Iraq:

“[Walski] did something he says he’s never done before. He took two photos of a British soldier in front of a crowd of Iraqi civilians and composed an image on his laptop, using the left side of one photo and the right side of the other. He transmitted his creation to Los Angeles along with 12 other images. The Times and the Hartford Courant unknowingly selected the altered image for the next day's front page while the Chicago Tribune ran it prominently on a jump page.�

Johnston makes her audience aware of the temptation for photojournalists to “doctor� images and says that thanks to technology, manipulation is much easier and can be undetectable if done well. She uses her text to remind the audience of the ethics associated with being a journalist and how these ethics can come under fire due to advances in technology.

Lumby, C, cited in Cunningham, S, & Turner, G, (2002) The Media and Communications in Australia Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest NSW ISBN 1865086746 

In the text The Media and Communications in Australia, Catherine Lumby discusses the future of journalism and the way in which it has evolved in Australia. Lumby stresses the way ethics in the media work and how they are shaped by changes in technology. She cites John Hartley in saying:

“When we contemplate the future of journalism in Australia, we must be careful to avoid judging all new media forms and formats by reference to historical conventions and technologies.� (Hartley, J cited in Lumby, C, 2002, p 239)

Lumby discusses the relationship between new media technologies in news broadcasting and young people. She notes that no longer do youth rely on a single medium for information and that they are most likely to “graze across a number of media sites�. She says this is aided by the interactive nature of the Internet and compares its features to traditional forms of media interaction such as writing letters to the editor, or participating in radio talkback:

“The online media world actively promotes interactivity in a way no medium previously has. Chat rooms, email exchanges and the ability to customize information are all standard features of many online media sites. The effect is to bring the media consumer and the media producer, or journalist into closer contact.�

Lumby’s text insightfully discusses the effects of new media technology in journalism on various sub-cultures, namely youth, and those from different socio-economic groups

Neuman, J, (1996), Lights, Camera, War St. Martin’s Press, New York ISBN 0-312-14004-5 

Johanna Neuman’s text Lights, Camera, War deals with the advances of technology in journalism and the effects of this on politics. Neuman documents the changes through history that have enhanced the ability of journalists to report in the field and transmit information at a faster rate. As she timelines the advances in technology she discusses the wars that have coincided with these changes and how each of their stories were told to the rest of the world. She discusses the changes in technology from the telegraph to the telephone, to television to satellite and the internet.

Neuman talks of the information age and how cyberspace as a “multimedia venture� is so suited to it. She also predicts that it will bring a shakeup in newspaper and television business:

“The impact of consumer freedom to arrange the visual aspects of news is even more striking than the toll of customizing print journalism. Ordering the raw footage of a war, replaying a crucial debate, interacting with political figures – this threat to television news makes CNN’s preeminence in the Gulf War look tame.� (Neuman, 1996 p258)

Neuman’s main argument however, revolves around the impact of real time technology and the impact it has on politics. She cites US ambassador and director of the Georgetown University’s Institute of Diplomacy David Newsom when he comments on politicians taking advantage of new technology. He uses the example of President Bush’s use of the telephone during the Persian Gulf War to keep in contact with those on the front line and other world leaders:

“The idea of solving difficult international issues through personal rapport is a very risky one� (Newsom, D cited in Neuman, J, 1996, p5)

While technology has forged on ahead since the publication of Neuman’s book in 1996, many of her predictions about advances in digital media are today a reality, and many of the forms of technology which she discusses, such as satellite phones, digital cameras and lap top computers are considered vital pieces of technology for any journalist.

Ostrow, J. (2003) Iraq war coverage more eye-catching than eye-opening:[Final Edition] Denver Post, p F.07 

Joanne Ostrow argues that while new technologies in journalism enable stories for print and television to be transmitted almost instantaneously from the Iraq war into our homes on a 24 hour basis, the content that is coming leaves much to be desired.

Ostrow argues that the western coverage of the war in Iraq was biased and simply tried to credit itself on being live from the war zone. She accuses journalists of “flag waving�:

“The idea of being pro-troops was often confused with being pro-war, and not just on MSNBC's wall of heroes. In the rush of live newscasts, the Pentagon's view was at times relayed uncritically. American anchors spoke admiringly of 'surgical strikes' and 'precision bombing,' while Al Jazeera viewers saw footage of civilian casualties.�

She also accuses politicians of relying on news reports that were able to be fed back instantly due to new technology to make their decisions.

Rich, B. (2001) Digital Technology Could Lead journalism back to its roots Nieman Reports Vol. 55, Iss. 2, p90-92 ISBN 00289817 

In his commentary on the impact of digital technology on journalism, Digital Technology could lead journalism back to its roots, Bryan Rich thanks new technologies for having a positive effect on foreign reporting. Rich also acknowledges though, that due to financial reasons on behalf of news corporations, this kind of foreign reporting is rare.

Rich argues that digital technology has the power to enhance foreign reporting and increase the number of news reports from around the world, however it has failed to do so because of a lack of investment and commitment by news networks. He says this has led to confusion in the relationship between journalists and their audiences and has made them unable to connect.

Rich tells how particularly in TV journalism the digital advantages are enormous. He explains how a traditional video camera (beta) is much more expensive and much harder to transport, as well as being obvious and the receiver of often “undesired attention.� Rich explains how while editing a film documenting the confessions of young men to acts of ethnic cleansing in the African nation of Burundi this was the case:

“After six weeks of filming in the midst of that country's civil war, we were able to put all of our recorded cassettes and the camera in a single carry-on bag. And here's where convergence comes in: One month later, the story of these confessions was published on the front page of The Washington Post.� [Rich, B. Online]

Rich uses his commentary to urge journalists to stop “bemoaning their anorexic news budgets� and use new technology to move into the future. Brigid Andersen 10:16, 13 Aug 2004 (EST)