User:Kellie McCall

Kellie McCall 23:45, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)

I am a third year university student studying Business and Creative Industries at Queensland Univeristy of Technology.

My email address is [1]

My group proposal topic is Digital Journalism

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Digital Media and the Development of Online News Services

Berger, A. (2003) Media and Society: A Critical Perspective, Lanham: Rowman and Littlefield, ISBN 0742525120

Media and Society discusses the social, economic, cultural and political consequences new media technologies are having on society. "New media technologies involve the replacement of analog technologies with digital ones."(Berger, 2003: 101) By providing an insight into the role that the mass media play in today's society, the text analyses and discusses media ethics, digital technology, media control and ownership and media audiences.

Berger also examines the relationship between the media and consumers through various mediums such as the internet, newspapers, magazines, video games, television and movies. This text ultimately discusses the impact that new media technologies are having on society as a whole.

Feldman, T. (1997) An Introduction to Digitial Media, London: Routledge, ISBN 0415151082

An Introduction to Digital Media explores and discusses the digital revolution, in particular, digital media and their potential use in our everyday lives. "The digital revolution is being forged by an accelerating move from a world familiar with analogue media to a world that will be increasing dominated by digital media."(Feldman, 1997: 1)

Throughout the text, Feldman examines digital media in two distinct categories, "the world of off-line media such as CD-ROM and the world of transmitted media, including digital broadcasting and interactive online services."(Feldman, 1997: 11) Through these two areas, Feldman offers insights into multimedia and its modern uses, online networks and the online industry, the rise of the internet and its effects on consumers and lastly the evolution of the CD-ROM markets and its distribution.

The text ends with a comprehensive analysis of the effects digital technologies will ultimately have on the media industry as a whole, in particularly for the broadcasting, publishing and music industries.

Fidler, R. (1997) MediaMorphosis: Understanding New Media, California: Pine Forge Press, ISBN 0803990863

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact that digitial technology has had on the mass media. Fidler describes the changes that have occurred in media technology throughout the past century, discussing the emergence of various media technologies such as the telegram, telephone, internet and wireless technology. The text examines contemporary digital forms such as online news services and the effects of such services on society.

Fidler also offers a detailed analysis of the social, political and economic factors affected by the advancemnt in new media technologies, particularly in relation to the advances in television and print media. Ultimately, throughout the text Fidler discusses the major developments and challenges that have arisen from the emergence of digital media.

Given, J. (1998) The Death of Broadcasting? Media's Digital Future, Sydney: UNSW Press, ISBN 0868404497

The Death of Broadcasting presents an insightful analysis of the forces behind digital media development in the media industries. Given argues that "the desire to develop digital media content and distrubution systems arises in part from capacity to deliver higher quality media as well as a greater range and diversity of formats, on the basis of digitization, convergence and networking." (Given, 1998: 98)

The text clearly deomonstrates and explainds what digital media is and discusses the various faets of digital media, including descriptions of information technologies and electronic communications that make up digital media.

Given also examines the competitve broadcasting market in both a global and local context discussing issues relating to the internet, privatization, government funding, online services and new media technologies. Lastly Given discusses both the political and social implications of digital media and consequently its effects on modern society.

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

Throughout the text, Herbert discusses and examines the effect that the digital age has had on journalism as a whole. Herbert presents a variety of reasons for why the digital age has had positive effects on journalism. The digital age has enabled journalists to implement the latest digital technologies such as satellite communication and computer assisted reporting, providing consumers with real time news and stories and far greater diversity then ever before.

One particular example of “the effect the digital age is having on journalism is starkly seen in the way photos can now be in the paper within minutes of being taken.� (Herbert, 2000:) Once a photo is taken on a digital camera it can be sent through to the newsroom via phone or satellite, and can immediately be inserted online.

Herbert also discusses the ethics, law and management of online journalism and provides insights into the methods and skills required in order to produce online media, in particular online news services. Ultimately, Herbert provides theoretical knowledge on the issues relating to online news services and the fundamental skills a journalist needs in a digital and converged media age.

Jung, J. (2003) "Business News Web Sites Differ from Newspapers in Business Content", Newspaper Research Journal, vol.24, no.2, pp.114-115, ISSN 07395329

This journal article compares and contrasts the differences between online news services and print news, and examines the readership of both. The article reports that newspaper circulations have declined due to the growth and competition of online services.

The article presents results of a study that was performed, comparing the popularity of three newspapers and three business news web sites in America. The study compared content, style and readability and found that online news services were far more popular to the public due to real time information, the use of effective and interactive visuals and straightforward readability for the public.

Lipshultz, J. (2000) Free Expression in the Age of the Internet, Colorado: Westview Press, ISBN 0813391083

This book examines and discusses the Internet analyzing the use of its technology from economic, political, cultural and social perspectives. Throughout the text, Lipshultz discusses and examines Internet content, including corporate media sites and their effectiveness, various ethical and social restraints relating to the Internet and “addresses the theoretical limitations in understanding free expression on the internet as social phenomenon.�(Lipshultz, 2000: 304)

The book also offers an insightful account of traditional legal concepts relating to the internet, including, copyright considerations, internet regulation, property rights, the law of privacy and social responsibility. Ultimately, Lipshultz argues, that free expression presented on the Internet, in particular in the form of online news services is constrained by social norms and conformity.

Ludlow, P. (1996) High Noon on the Electronic Frontier: Conceptual Issues in Cyberspace, Cambridge: MIT Press, ISBN 0262621037

This book provides a detailed analysis of digital communication, and how this technological revolution has affected and changed modern society. Ludlow states that, "digital communication is one of the most exciting, rapidly expanding fields of study and practice throughout the world, as witnessed by the increasing number of websites and users of the internet." (Ludlow, 1996: 11)

The Electronic Frontier is the new mode of communication and interaction in cyberspace. Ludlow presents various perspectives on this newfound communication from a range of observers, and discusses a variety of issues relating to digital communication.

Among the issues addressed throughout the text, include property rights, privacy, freedom of speech and press, online news services, virtual communities and lastly identity. This text takes you on a journey through the issues relating to cyberspace, and both the negative and positive aspects relating to the electronic frontier.

Thorburn, D. and Jenkins, H. (2003) Rethinking Media Change: The Aesthetics of Transition, Cambridge: MIT Press, ISBN 0262201461

Thorburn and Jenkins document the emergence of digital media technologies, through a chronological examination of the key influences and technologies that have affected the mass media throughout the past few centuries.

“This book challenges the assumption that new technologies displace older systems with decisive suddenness and have a revolutionary impact on society, the essays in this book see media change as an accretive, gradual process, always a mix of tradition and innovation, in which emerging and established systems interact, shift and collude with one another.� (Thorburn and Jenkins, 2003: 2)

The essays included in this text examine, contemporary digital forms and electronic media, the changes and transition occurring within the mass media, the emerging forms and practices of new digital technologies such as digital cinema, e-books and online news services and finally discusses the visual culture of modern society. Throughout this text, Thorburn and Jenkins, track the evolution of media forms, from the Guttenberg Bible, the first printed book, up until modern digital media technology. They also discuss the influences that have implemented change throughout the mass media.

Ward, G. (1998) Publishing in the Digital Age, London: Bowerdean, ISBN 0906097940

Throughout the text, Ward demonstrates and discusses the changes that have occurred throughout the mass media and the development of digital media technology. Ward examines the new media technologies that are currently available and the way in which these technologies are utilized. Such technologies mentioned include online news services, digital printing and publishing, CD-Roms and hybrid products such as DVD and MP3 players.

The text also discusses the possibilities of further advancements in digital technology within the mass media in the near future, particularly in the fields of publishing and broadcasting. Ward also presents the argument that print media will have to provide additional and improved services and products, in order to remain competitive in the new digital media market.

Kellie McCall 23:45, 12 Aug 2004 (EST)