Journalists and Social Media = The Remix
- Apr 21, 2016
- 3 min read
Convergence has impacted the journalist’s career by merging each form of media onto one resource: the internet. The internet serves as a melting pot for print, radio, and multimedia journalism which forces journalists to have to be computer savvy. Most media companies have transitioned to the internet so that their stories may be easily accessible for the public. Not only does convergence invoke journalists to become computer savvy, but they are also expected to be well versed on social media outlets. Social media is so heavily used globally that news spreads quicker than most media outlets. In order for a journalist to stay influential with storytelling, they must ensure they can quickly share stories through social media as well as follow the instant updates social media can create.
Convergence has negatively impacted the print and radio journalism industry because it has declined the demand for print and radio journalism. However, the term multimedia journalism has taken precedent and the demand for journalists to learn how to create stories using multiple elements of media has increased. The multimedia journalist has knowledge on how to create stories using videos, writing, and photography. However, this new form of journalism creates a story that appeals to a larger crowd and can also make the story being told much stronger.
Convergence also forces the journalist to work at a quicker pace. The internet is much quicker than waiting for news to be reported on television or waiting for it to be printed; therefore, stories must be can be published almost immediately after the news is spread. News can be shared worldwide in a matter of seconds. The journalist must ensure to be up to date on current events much quicker than in the past, so a knowledge of how to use social media and a consistent habit of surfing the internet must be enforced.
Search engine optimization is also another important tool that impacts a journalist’s job. As search engines allow access to the millions of websites for information and resources, it is pertinent that the journalist understands how to use them. The most popular search engines include Google, Yahoo, and Bing. Journalists should rely on search engines to aid them when looking for credible resources to share and gather information with. Any word or phrase can be searched through search engines and the internet will gather any information shared via web on the topic which was searched. Search engines are used by typing in keywords that will narrow down a search and provide millions of websites that includes the topic or words searched.
Social media is also a rising dominant resource for news sharing. One of the most common social media platforms that can serve as an aid for journalists is Facebook.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/business/media/how-facebook-is-changing-the-way-its-users-consume-journalism.html
This article discusses the advantages of Facebook when considering the impact it has on journalism. The news feed aspect of Facebook allows journalists from around the world to share their thoughts on current events and post news stories to an audience much larger than a local audience. Facebook also holds a fifth of the world’s population giving over a billion people access to the same shared information
https://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/twitter/
This article discusses the impact Twitter has on journalism. As a more direct and instant conversational platform, Twitter gives breaking news a deeper meaning. Journalists are now able to engage with their audihttps://multimedia.journalism.berkeley.edu/tutorials/twitter/ence and report in a more immediate manner. A journalist can create a strong following from their Twitter account and build a brand among many people.
Snapchat is one of the newer forms of social media that journalists can use to tell their story. With the element of a snapchat story, people are given the opportunity to put an instant face and video behind the story trying to be told. While many people wait to watch current events once the story is being told, Snapchat now allows current events to be viewed while they are happening. Journalists, just like the one in the video, can post happenings while they are actually happening.
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