The news industry has shifted increasingly away from paper information and toward electronic communication. This change has both its advantages and disadvantages. In a way, the Internet in general and social media in particular has resulted in a more constantly knowledgeable public, but these new tools have also created a public bent on entertaining themselves with news. No longer is news read primarily to learn about foreign and domestic affairs or to establish opinions on certain topics. Now, news is read or seen for frivolity, and if the news isn’t presented well enough, or in an entertaining way, people will cease to hound for it, which makes it so much more difficult for reporters to deliver solid information.
Reporters now must not only be efficient in gathering news; they must also present it well enough that the “user” will want to hear it. My role as a reporter has shifted from a gatherer of information to more of a player who takes a role on stage. Everything must be shaped to users’ constantly decreasing attention-spans. Thus, to take on this new challenge we must learn to play to our users’ needs, to tell a joke when news get boring, to show images when words lose their edge, to release some music when the atmosphere is cold. Effective reporting is not just an art anymore, it’s a Renaissance Fair.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Yes it is important to have reporters not only to inform the audience about going on the stage, but this is also the time where people can show their skills and be on a stage. Creating and reporting one's story is the only way that the reporters themselves could be in the spotlight.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the change has both its advantages and disadvantages. Also, I agree that news isn't read for the sake of hard-hitting, breaking news. It is instead read for, as you said, frivolity. Examples of this can definitely be seen on social media sites like Facebook, where it allows you to read articles and shows friends what you've been reading. I noticed an increase in the amount of articles that were really...well, pointless.
ReplyDeleteSorry, but I have to disagree with your idea that the sole purpose of News has become to entertain people. Although, I do have to say the news is becoming commercialized, with useless information about the personal lives of celebrities constantly playing, when they could be tackling much more important issues; I feel as if many journalists still continue to work to inform the public on what is really important and what they need to know; of course not all, but several still do so.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the idea that media is becoming more centered upon entertainment. There is the point that media now must be like an entertainment program in order to hold the attention of its viewers, but it would lose sight of its goal if it decided to work solely that fact. That is why I dislike the sudden abundance of news related to celebrities, TV shows, and individuals; it simply draws too much attention away from the things that do matter. Do not force into my mouth recent ratings showing how well Glee is doing, give me world news, tell me how well (or bad) the U.S is doing the war in the Middle East.
ReplyDeleteThis is so great. I agree with everything you are saying. You seem to know a lot about this new direction that journalism is taking on, and I feel confident that people like you with this kind of perspective on the news will help pioneer the future of the way we receive and distribute information in the future.
ReplyDelete