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| Listen to Alexandra Suich, media editor with The Economist, discuss citizen journalism. |
Previously, we discussed how technology has enabled information to be more interactive through social sharing and comments. Another way that technology has changed the role of communicators is in the way in which information is discovered and obtained. “The web has become the go-to point for the globe when it comes to getting information; it's the same for reporters. Online, they find a multiplicity of perspectives and a library of available knowledge that provides the context for stories” (Krotoski, 2011, para. 5).
The source for this information began to emerge with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Citizens were beginning to become news participants, sharing what they were seeing and asking for more information.
People used the web to connect to the experience by watching it in real
time on TV and then posting on message boards and forums. They posted
bits of information they knew themselves and aggregated it with links from
elsewhere. For most, the delivery was crude, but the reporting, linking
and sharing nature of news coverage emerged at that moment. (Krotoski,
2011, para. 6)
time on TV and then posting on message boards and forums. They posted
bits of information they knew themselves and aggregated it with links from
elsewhere. For most, the delivery was crude, but the reporting, linking
and sharing nature of news coverage emerged at that moment. (Krotoski,
2011, para. 6)
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| Source: http://www.mymcmedia.org/wp- content/uploads/2012/03/CT_logo-310x277.gif |
Communicators can use technology to find news-worthy topics that are occurring around the world. It has been found that “89% of journalists research story ideas on blogs” (Achi, 2014, slide 26). In addition, journalists can use technology to speak with witnesses and other sources. However, communicators must still rely on their training to obtain reliable sources. Yves Eudes, a reporter with French broadsheet Le Monde, says "First-hand witnesses cannot see the big picture…They’re trained to see what they want to see” (Krotoski, 2011, para. 9). Communicators must still remain ethical and verify their sources. If necessary, additional training should be obtained to learn how to distinguish reliable sources on the Internet.
Next up: How technology has changed the speed by which we are able to communicate.
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References:
References:
Achi, C. (2014, March 7). Digital public relations and online reputation management presentation cna [slides]. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/celachi/digital-public-relations-and-online-reputation-management-presentation-cna.
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