The digitization of media has not only changed the way we consume the news. Gone are the days of having to wait to tune into the local news station at noon, 6:00 PM, or 11:00 PM to find out what was happening in our communities, state, and throughout the world. We are no longer limited to content that is brought to use by our local newspapers, radio stations, and television news stations. We can now access the news from around the world with the click of a button. These changes have also impacted the way journalists create and deliver the news.
Digital journalism is creating and consuming news through digital formats. While the methods of creating and publishing the news have changed, journalist integrity has not. Journalists still adhere to unbiased reporting, strong writing and reporting skills, and ethical standards. Along with these skills journalists today are required to learn more to enhance their ability to bring the news to the public in an ever-changing digital landscape. Journalists must now be tech savvy individuals with multimedia proficiency, marketing skills, and the ability to adapt to changing needs of the public (SBU Online, 2022).
Writing on the internet has allowed the public to interact with journalists. Journalists are no longer just a talking head on a television or a name on an article in a publication. They must now interact with the public to create their own brand and market themselves in ways they never had before. This has required journalists to learn marketing skills and brand awareness. The internet also changed the volume and speed at which journalists must work. They must now deliver the news faster than ever. Sometimes resulting in a loss of quality or limiting the journalist’s ability to take the time needed to further develop a story (Orihuela, 2022). Digital media has also changed the way journalists find, create, and distribute content (Rainey, 2021).
People are no longer exclusively getting their news from printed newspapers, or radio or television broadcasts. Most people are accessing the news through social media posts and apps. This means journalists must adapt and share the news where people will find it (Rainey, 2021). A digital presence is now required for journalists if they want to stay ahead of the game.
One issue that digital news has caused for journalists is the rise of misinformation. Journalists must be careful to ensure the content they are sharing is accurate, truthful, and unbiased. With the need to get news out faster it is making it more difficult for journalists to ensure accuracy. However, it is imperative they check accuracy of sources, vet data, and remain committed to the truth before publishing anything. They must also be prepared to face the public when something goes wrong, and they share inaccurate information (SBU Online, 2022).
Technology has changed the way the news is developed and delivered. However, the principles of journalism have not changed. Ensuring that journalists have the skills needed to create digital content that is truthful, unbiased, and accurate is imperative today. Journalists can ensure they have these skills through further training in multimedia, ethics, and marketing. This will ensure they can adjust and change with the future of digital media.
References
Orihuela, J. L. (2022, November 14). The digital transformation of Journalism. Medium. Retrieved November 16, 2022, from https://jlori.medium.com/the-digital-transformation-of-journalism-1748c38df2bc
Rainey, S. (2021, March 22). Digitalization of media a double-edged sword, future of print. The Daily Beacon. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.utdailybeacon.com/city_news/lifestyle/digitalization-of-media-a-double-edged-sword-future-of-print/article_428e44c6-86d8-11eb-9276-3f8d8a4dec2b.html
SBU Online. (2022, May 3). Journalism in the digital age: What is Digital Journalism? Online Masters Programs from St. Bonaventure University. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://online.sbu.edu/news/journalism-in-the-digital-age
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