How the Web Has Changed Journalism
Technology Grows as Does Journalists Expectations
Remember when print journalism consisted of the basic newspaper and magazine? It was simple, easy and everyone understood it. As the years passed, upgrades in the industry and in technology were made. The Baby Boomer generation grew older and historic while Generation Y became the new fad. The Internet was born and the expectations of news gatherers changed, as did the face of journalism.
Prehistoric Journalism
Before the birth of the Internet, newsrooms largely consisted of reporters and editors who relied on the conversations they had with people and the pen and pad in their hands. There was no such thing as cameras and recorders in the newsroom. The heart of the story came from within the writer based on the questions they asked and their style of prose. Computers were simple and so were the programs on them. Graphic design was only just starting to get off the ground and online publications were unheard of.
Now expectations are changing for readers and viewers. Print publications are expanding their viewer ship to the web. Along with the story that one could read in the paper, a short video is included with the story online. Young reporters are learning how to use handheld cameras to produce these videos and video editing software is being installed on the once archaic newsroom computers.
Expectations of Colleges
College students once studying print journalism have expanded their horizons. Colleges such as Emerson College, University of Texas at Austin and Ball State University have all expanded their journalism programs to include multimedia studies.
Students are beginning to learn the basics of using cameras and editing software that broadcast journalists would normally use. They're learning how to write for web publications and what images work better online than in print. What used to be a lesson in newsgathering and interviewing has changed into producing a full package for the story the reporter is producing.
College professors also have a tough time adjusting to this new era. Many college professors are traditional in their ways of reporting and are still adjusting and learning more about the multimedia aspect of journalism as well.
Colleges preach the importance of being well rounded and learning how to use programs such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Flash and Avid Newscutter when the professors who are trying to teach how to use them are also learning all the functions of the program. It's hard to find older professionals who can teach the basics of the software when college students today are the ones who are more well-known with them.
As tough as it is for people to adjust to this new era of journalism, it is something journalists must adapt to because readers expectations have grown. People expect to see more visually pleasing articles and reports when they are looking online. The Internet is constantly becoming more advanced and journalists must continue to learn each news aspect to please their readers.
