Reading for this week...
Journalism in a Digital Age - Christopher Harper
The media plays a specific role in ‘agenda setting’ in so far as having the power to “emphasize specific events, ideas and social values”. The media also deliberately “frames” the news so as to be interpreted in specific ways by the public.
Harper does not see the internet / www as having the same power to “set the agenda” largely because the audience is too small and the broadcasters that own the websites are still setting the agenda.
Online journalism is altering the traditional role of the journalist. Firstly by placing far more power in the hands of the reader and secondly through allowing the journalist access to a wide variety of new technology to tell their story e.g. audio and video.
Online journalism audience is increasing but is still quite small compared to other forms of news media. There is a trend for users to use the web for quick snippets of news and headline stories.
Clear division in internet usage based on age - older users more interested in following the news, particularly on a daily basis.
According to Michael Kolowich (http://www.newsedge.com/), people are turning to online services for several key reasons:
1. News consumers want filtering
2. The ability to search for news is important
3. Browsing
4. Communing
Journalists divided into three groups:
1. Benevolent revolutionaries - enthusiastic about new technologies
2. Nervous traditionalists - the opposite of the above
3. Serene separatists - do not fear new technology as they do not see it having a great impact upon their profession
As classified advertising becomes increasingly online-based as opposed to print-based, some traditional printed newspapers will likely go out of business. This revenue is crucial for a newspaper’s survival.
1. News consumers want filtering
2. The ability to search for news is important
3. Browsing
4. Communing
Journalists divided into three groups:
1. Benevolent revolutionaries - enthusiastic about new technologies
2. Nervous traditionalists - the opposite of the above
3. Serene separatists - do not fear new technology as they do not see it having a great impact upon their profession
As classified advertising becomes increasingly online-based as opposed to print-based, some traditional printed newspapers will likely go out of business. This revenue is crucial for a newspaper’s survival.
Related Links...
Murdoch to charge for online news - http://www.theage.com.au/technology/biz-tech/not-happy-rupert-readers-say-they-wont-pay-for-online-news-20090807-eco0.html
Fairfax losses and plans to form consortium to charge for online news - http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,,25975971-643,00.html
Some advice to Fairfax from Crikey - http://www.crikey.com.au/2009/08/24/crikey-says-70/
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