Snap It, Tweet It, Report It
So classes are back in session and I am definitely in my element. I love Journalism and Photography so much and this semester has given me the opportunity to merge the two. The more I learn about my future career, the more I realize that Journalism is mainly about adaptation. As Bob Dylan would say, "the times, they are a changing." With that statement comes a steep learning curve that seemingly will continue forever.
If you would have told me that I would be turning to Youtube for credible news stories, I would have laughed in your face and said something along the lines of, "oh honey, no." Thinking of Youtube as a reliable source would be like my doctor telling me to check Wikipedia for medical treatment. You just don't do it. It is still hard to believe that the place where I looked up videos like "Charlie Bit My Finger" and numerous cat videos, would be where I turned to when I wanted to find out what was happening in Syria.
I applaud the early news media and digital journalists for venturing out into what would seem like an absurd platform. The primary task of journalists is to supply credible news information to the masses by whatever means possible. If we want an informed society we must learn how best to reach them.
The learning curve has since changed again. Youtube has been left for Snapchat. No longer must one search through videos to catch up on what's happening. You only need the swipe and the tap of your finger to be instantaneously informed. Convenience is most certainly the name of the game.
These aren't just independent stations that are taking advantage of new digital media platforms. Large media companies like CNN and NBC are gravitating towards new technology in hopes of giving them an industry lead.
The newest ventures are in VR (Virtual Reality) and AR ( Augmented Reality). Both formats offer a more immersive and interactive experience. With virtual reality, the viewer can obtain the feeling of truly being at the scene of a news event. This technology can add to credibility and give the viewer a sense of autonomy with the way that they consume their news.
So what is this all about truly? Why so much investment in technological pursuits?
There is a deeper goal embedded in the utilization of new media platforms. That deeper goal is to regain the trust of the people themselves.
These new formats provide a sort of equality in reporting. The new formats allow you to feel you are getting an inside look. A bit reminiscent of pulling back the curtain in Oz, this eliminates the feelings of consumer hostility and in some ways allows you to feel a surface-level kinship to journalists reporting from the scene.
It is no secret that the future of Journalism is being threatened. With the prominence of super corporations and rumored hidden agendas/ interests, there is reason to feel a bit wary of the news industry. I want to stress this is not a political statement, but it must be addressed if we want to move forward in a more positive direction.
People also want to independently take control of their news consumption. They are no longer content with anchors telling them what they should know or what they should dismiss. They want to diversify their media consumption and this is where our dedication to delivering quality news is critical.
Journalists must strive for integrity and truthfulness in all that they do. With the amount of misinformation, we must counter that and do it quickly. Now this doesn't mean that I think that all uncredited news sources should be eliminated, quite the contrary. Elimination of these sources lead to media elitism and a shallow pool of information. My emphasis is on our individual promise to deliver truthfulness in all we report.
So, go ahead and dip your toes into the pond of social media news, the water feels fine.
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Meet Caitlin
Caitlin is a storyteller and photographer currently based in the coastal city of Wilmington, N.C.
A self-confessed romantic, she is a firm believer that there is good in the world.
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