In Laymen’s terms, everybody and their mamas consider themselves journalists today. With the convergence of the Internet and camera phones, there are limitless possibilities for the wannabes. From blogging, to Facebook status soliloquies, to videotaping every walking second of life, everyone might as well host Anderson Cooper 360. No, but seriously… journalists, simply put are storytellers. So by no means do I aim to discredit anyone who doesn’t necessarily have a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism – although a fond accolade. What I am saying is that journalism takes on a whole new meaning these days, and thus, the role of journalists has changed drastically.
Before, a journalist was someone who went into the community, found news, edited into a story, and broadcasted it via a news medium (radio, television, newspaper, etc.). Now, something as small as a tweet or a 15 second Instagram post can be considered journalism. Reporters have a much greater responsibility now. They must keep up with all of these evolving forms of media to communicate the news. This includes live tweeting while on the scene, taking pictures and uploading them to Instagram, posting popular segments on the station’s Facebook page, keeping up with trending topics, following other news outlets, all while retrieving the content for the actual story.
The saying “news doesn’t break, it tweets,” is very honest, though a bit facetious. Viewers really have less interest in sitting and watching a full hour newscast to find out what’s happening. They’re more concerned with getting the news in whatever way is most convenient – and usually, that’s via social media. That’s where multimedia journalists step in.
But some of the biggest breaking news stories have not been from official news reporters. For example, the Royal Wedding announcement broke on Twitter by the Clarence House. And though Twitter kills many people before they actually die, it was first to break the tragedy of Whitney Houston’s death. A man tweeted it out to his 14 followers approximately 27 minutes before the Associated Press.
A study by University of St. Gallen ,called “Social Media Journalism,” breaks down the evolving role of journalists by performing a case study on Twitter and Iran. They examine how the hashtag #Iranelections49 served as the central steam for those hungry for news, and for those interested in sharing and new pictures and information. A week later, 60% of outgoing links from Twitter were on Iran. And all while people are protesting Iran, another topic evolved: the role of social media on news.
Journalism has changed. Questions rise on whether bloggers, or Tweeters, or even Facebookers, would be considered journalists? Should they be held to the same standard as professional journalists? Some say, yes. I say, it depends on how you define journalist. Some say journalists are just storytellers. And if that’s the case, then my 6-year old should be publishing for the Associated Press. But if you define a journalist as a storyteller who maintains honesty, integrity, and works to dig deep to find truth to benefit the greater community, then I have no problem with sharing the title. But don’t believe the lies, folks.
Before, a journalist was someone who went into the community, found news, edited into a story, and broadcasted it via a news medium (radio, television, newspaper, etc.). Now, something as small as a tweet or a 15 second Instagram post can be considered journalism. Reporters have a much greater responsibility now. They must keep up with all of these evolving forms of media to communicate the news. This includes live tweeting while on the scene, taking pictures and uploading them to Instagram, posting popular segments on the station’s Facebook page, keeping up with trending topics, following other news outlets, all while retrieving the content for the actual story.
The saying “news doesn’t break, it tweets,” is very honest, though a bit facetious. Viewers really have less interest in sitting and watching a full hour newscast to find out what’s happening. They’re more concerned with getting the news in whatever way is most convenient – and usually, that’s via social media. That’s where multimedia journalists step in.
But some of the biggest breaking news stories have not been from official news reporters. For example, the Royal Wedding announcement broke on Twitter by the Clarence House. And though Twitter kills many people before they actually die, it was first to break the tragedy of Whitney Houston’s death. A man tweeted it out to his 14 followers approximately 27 minutes before the Associated Press.
A study by University of St. Gallen ,called “Social Media Journalism,” breaks down the evolving role of journalists by performing a case study on Twitter and Iran. They examine how the hashtag #Iranelections49 served as the central steam for those hungry for news, and for those interested in sharing and new pictures and information. A week later, 60% of outgoing links from Twitter were on Iran. And all while people are protesting Iran, another topic evolved: the role of social media on news.
Journalism has changed. Questions rise on whether bloggers, or Tweeters, or even Facebookers, would be considered journalists? Should they be held to the same standard as professional journalists? Some say, yes. I say, it depends on how you define journalist. Some say journalists are just storytellers. And if that’s the case, then my 6-year old should be publishing for the Associated Press. But if you define a journalist as a storyteller who maintains honesty, integrity, and works to dig deep to find truth to benefit the greater community, then I have no problem with sharing the title. But don’t believe the lies, folks.