Sunday, September 23, 2018

Annotated Bibliography

The digital technology's influence on journalism practice. (2011). 2011 IEEE 3rd International Conference on Communication Software and Networks, Communication Software and Networks (ICCSN), 2011 IEEE 3rd International Conference on, 608. doi:10.1109/ICCSN.2011.6013908

Annotation: This journal discusses the different types of digital journalism in the digital age, and how they all work together to provide information to consumers. The journal discusses  how humans have evolved with how they consume their information, and how the journalists are adapting to the changes.

Abstract by author: In order to demonstrate the great influence of the digital technology on journalism practice, some phenomena of current journalism practice are analyzed in this paper. It is evident to find that the application of digital technology could be counted as a deep revolution to journalism. And the aspects of this revolution such as multi-skilled journalists, convergent news content and multimedia news presentation have increasingly played a pivotal role in journalism practice.

Grensing-Pophal, L. (2010). SOCIAL Media: Journalism's FRIEND OR FOE? Retrieved August 5, 2018, from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/docview/213812220?accountid=3783, 24-28

Annotation: In this article, Grensing-Pophal discusses how The Washington Post’s senior editor released guidelines to his employees and staff members outlining how employees are expected to behave online and offline. The article also outlines some backlash that the paper got, as well as reasons behind why it was an industry standard to publish the guidelines. The article also discusses how social media has taken off over the past few years, and how it truly does drive how journalists do their jobs.

Abstract from author: In September, The Washington Post’s senior editor Milton Coleman published guidelines to the paper's staff members about their activities on the Internet -- while on and off the job. While these guidelines have triggered a great deal of backlash and commentary in the blogosphere, this memo is indicative of the serious impact social media is having on the journalistic profession. It's not so much that fundamental standards have changed; rather it's more that the scope or reach of what journalists say and do is much more transparent and pervasive than ever before. Without a doubt, the biggest benefit of social media to journalists is vastly simplifying the ability to identify and make connections with sources. In a sense, social media has made the world smaller -- even top celebrities seem more approachable. As demonstrated by The Washington Post's controversial guidelines, the media is still finding its way in leveraging the new tools social media offers the craft.

Jones, B. (2016). Social media @ global news agencies : news(s) technology in a professional culture of practice. 1-301

Annotation:  In this thesis, Bronwyn Jones specifically discusses how social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter play a part within global news agencies (GNAs). Social Media has made essentially everyone a journalist, and the GNAs are studying harnessing the importance of social media. “The Big Three” – Agence France-Press, Associated Press, and Reuters, are some of the most trusted GNAs out there, and this article discusses them utilizing social media and discusses engagement and listening.

Abstract by author: This research contributes to the field of Journalism Studies and the evolving area of social media studies by empirically investigating the role of Twitter and Facebook in news production at global news agencies (GNAs) and their impact on GNA journalism. Research into the use of new networked and digital technologies in journalism has been growing but has yet to examine the arena of GNAs, which are a traditionally under-researched but hugely influential sector of the news industry. This thesis adds to a nascent body of research that takes social media seriously in journalism by analysing the interplay of the architecture and affordances of these technologies with the news production process. It does this through critical interrogation of changing organisational and individual work practices at the ‘Big Three’ GNAs, Agence France-Presse, Associated Press and Reuters, which have become a crucial site for research of the impact of widespread and growing use of social media. The research creates and uses the theoretical framework of cultures of practice to analyse how GNAs are integrating social media into their organisational infrastructure and how newsworkers are incorporating them into journalistic practice. The term cultures of practice is employed to highlight the importance of socio-material context for shaping journalists’ work – taking account of how social and technological aspects of GNA infrastructure shape professional culture. Employing a qualitative multi-case study approach, the thesis combines interview analysis, framing analysis of social media guidelines, and analysis of organisational SNS activity to illuminate how social media are understood and employed at GNAs and the impact of their adoption for GNA journalism. The research finds that GNAs are ‘social networking the news’ and identifies a newly developed ethic of professional sociability, which is transforming GNA journalism and contributing to re-articulation of the GNA relationship with the public, business model, and role in the journalism ecology. It argues that professional cultures of practice is a valuable analytical lens for studying technological change in news production contexts as it enables effective study of the relationship between (social media) technology, (news production) practice and (GNA) culture. This study matters for what it indicates about how professional journalistic cultures transform in times of technological change through selectively co-opting practices, norms, and values while re-negotiating notions of professionalism. 

Kaul, V. (2012). Journalism in the Age of Digital Technology. Romanian Journal Of Communication & Public Relations14(1), 59-72.

Annotation: In this journal, Kaul discusses almost exactly what we will be discussing in our final project – the impact that the digital age and digital technology has had on journalism. This journal touches upon how we, as a society, have changed the way we consume our information, leaving traditional forms behind for our digital technology. Kaul compares traditional forms of communication and digital forms and discusses if they can live together in harmony.

Abstract by author: An essay is presented on the impact of journalism on the digital age society. It notes that the arrival of the digital revolution including the evolution of the Internet, the emergence of new forms of media and the rise of social networks has played a significant role in reshaping the media landscape. The author also notes the capability of such technology to change journalism though it is up for the society at the end to make sure that this change is for the better.
  
Larrondo Ureta, A., & Peña Fernández, S. (2018). Keeping pace with journalism training in the age of social media and convergence: How worthwhile is it to teach online skills?. Journalism19(6), 877-891. doi:10.1177/1464884917743174, vol. 19, issue 6, 877-891.

Annotation: In this article, Ureta & Fernández discuss how journalists and scholars feel about further training in the workplace for social media and convergence. Because of the fact that social media is ever changing, the information becomes obsolete before it even hits the curriculum. That said, some of the schools are implementing broader subjects like digital media and video into their curriculum, to at least get the information out to the up and coming students.

Abstract by author: Media organizations are immersed in a significant process of technological, professional and business restructuring driven by multimedia convergence and the impact of social media. Regardless of their size and scope, they are becoming increasingly aware of the need to enhance their multiplatform delivery strategies and respond more closely to their audiences’ needs and interests. Professionals working for these organizations therefore must cope with, and learn to thrive in, convergent media environments that call for a high level of cooperative effort and multitasking. These requirements seem to be even higher with regard to online journalism, a sector exposed to continual technological change and oriented towards the development of content in a variety of formats. In the light of this scenario and the recent debates regarding the best way to keep journalism training up to date, this article offers a subject-based case study to examine the challenges involved in incorporating convergence and social media into journalism university curricula. By means of a mix of data methods, the study focuses on the planning, practices and ramifications of a specific course on online journalism newswriting and reporting. The conclusions provide a critical discussion of the objectives and tools used by educators in the classroom and discuss the appropriateness of courses devoted to online journalism for preparing future journalists to cope with daily newsroom challenges resulting from media convergence and social media content production. 

State of The News Media 2016. (2016, June 15). Retrieved July 21, 2018, from http://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2016/06/30143308/state-of-the-news-media-report-2016-final.pdf. 1-118

Annotation: Pew Research discusses the news media and how things have changed with the introduction of technology. They discuss how the printed newspaper has declined over the past decade, and what newspapers are trying to do to stop the bleeding of losing readership. They also talk about the rise of podcasts as a way for people to consume the news, and how journalists are looking to adapt to the changing technology.

Abstract by author: none

WHITAKER, R. (2016). Journalism in the Digital Age: The Commonwealth Experience. Round Table105(4), 421-422. doi:10.1080/00358533.2016.1205361

Annotation: For this journal, Whitaker specifically discusses how the digital age has affected journalism in Great Britain, though it is true for the United States of America, and most other countries. Whitaker also discusses the loss of jobs due to the information being consumed mainly online, thus making it so that there needs to be less employees.


Abstract by author: The author discusses aspect of journalism in the age of digital technology in Great Britain. He mentions the discussion on the prospect of news media at the 10th international conference of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (CJA) in London, England wherein the association's vice president Farid Hossein mentioned the secularist views of bloggers who were killed in 2015. He also the concerns of journalists on possible digital disruptions.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

10 CDs For 10cents

Does anyone remember when you would get a postcard in the mail from a company like BMG or Columbia House, prompting you to pick out 10 CDs and you would only pay $1.00? I took advantage of that to the fullest, creating a library of music that even the best DJ would be jealous of.

But, I would have to sit and wait for that package to come in the mail! I would forget what I ordered, and the CDs would collect dust wherever they were stored. The stacks and stacks of CDs were an eyesore.

Those days are over. Now you can carry your whole music library in your hand, on your smartphone. Heck, you don't even have to download music to your smartphone anymore, you can use streaming services such as Apple Music, Spotify, and Pandora.


How do YOU carry YOUR music? Do you still purchase physical CDs or vinyl records (which coincidentally are coming back into style), or do you stream your music via the apps listed above? Which is your favorite?

Be sure to tell us in the comments below!



References

Stuart, M., & Morgan, C. (2018, July 31). How Columbia House sold 12 CDS for $1. Retrieved September 9, 2018, from https://www.businessinsider.com/columbia-house-bmg-music-profit-money-business-model-2018-7

Where's My Library Card?

With advancements in technology, we have even seen changes in how we read books, whether they are textbooks or books for pleasure. I remember traveling to the library every weekend with my mother to check out a stack of books, I loved to read then, and I still do now.

We have seen the decline of bookshops, and now people are reading books on handheld devices, the most popular being the Amazon Kindle. You have a library of thousands at your fingertips now, and no longer do you have to wait for a book to be back on the shelf - simply cue it up on your Kindle, and off you go. Sure there is a cost for this - but don't we love instant gratification?



Though I truly enjoy the technology advancements that the Kindle has brought us, I love the feel and smell of a good paper book. My go to is always the library, and when pressed, I will purchase (or even check out) a book on my Kindle.

Have we become too reliant on technology, and that light that hurts our eyes when we read? Time will tell. Don't throw those paper books away just yet. I'm holding out hope.


References

Arcacion. (2016). Pixabay. Retrieved from https://pixabay.com/en/reading-book-ebook-holiday-1249273/

Marlowe, A. (2014). The People of the Book vs The People of the Kindle. Tablet Magazine,

Cutting The Cord

Gone are the days where we are held captive by the cable companies. There are so many options now when it comes to getting your television and movie fixes, and it is completely possible to do it completely cable-free. This trend is called cord-cutting.

Growing up, we had televisions with no cable, we were happy with the handful of channels that we had, but technology brought us something magical - cable tv. Now we had so many channels at our fingertips that we didn't know where to begin.

Remember this one? No? It's a good one, and oh so true.


Now, we're in a time where we have options outside of cable television - streaming services. This includes services such as Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime Movies, and more.

Mike Snyder of USA Today says: "The number of cord cutters, those who cancel pay TV, is expected to climb 32.8 percent this year to 33 million. That’s higher than the 27.1 million (22 percent growth rate) cord cutters expected for 2018 in eMarketer's forecast last year."

As technology evolves, our options likely will, too. It will be interesting what next option will appear that will knock streaming down to the likes of cable tv. 

Are you a cord-cutter? Let us know in the comments below!



References


Springsteen, Bruce. (2011, March 23). Retrieved September 09, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAlDbP4tdqc


Snider, M. (2018, July 24). Cord cutting accelerates with millions more expected to leave pay TV for Netflix, Hulu, Amazon. Retrieved September 1, 2018, from https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2018/07/24/cord-cutting-accelerate-millions-more-than-expected-leaving-pay-tv/823950002/

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Rolling With The Punches, Part II

In my previous blog post, I discussed how communication has changed through the years, especially for journalists and the way they have to report the news in order to stay relevant. Messages can get lost in the shuffle, and not be seen, and communicators have to learn new tricks in order to be seen.

I talked about how Daniel Miller from Fox25 Boston utilizes his Instagram account to stay on peoples minds. He allows "fans" to follow his personal account, and in turn, we get to know more about him, and he is a familiar face.

Another way that Daniel utilizes convergence journalism is by using media in his reporting. He could simply post an update that is all text, and he would still get people to read his updates, but in order to roll with the punches, he adds images, and sometimes video to his updates, which makes it flashier and makes his updates stand out. 



No doubt there has been training on how to stand out within his news outlet, and as technology changes, chances are these communicators will receive further training in order to stay on the cutting edge of things. 


References:

Kolodzy, J. (2012). Practicing Convergence Journalism, 1st Edition. [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781136222825/

Learning To Roll With The Punches

Communication has changed through the years, especially for journalists and the way they have to report the news in order to stay relevant. It is noisy out there, and budding journalists (and even seasoned ones) can get their messages lost in the traffic. That said, there are some benefits to the way we consume our news these days - social media.

These days, if you watched your local news and saw a reporter that you related to, you had to tune in for the next time they were working or the next time they were going to be live on air. Now, all you have to do is turn to social media, chances are they've got their own profile (whether it is Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram) and they are likely updating their timeline constantly throughout the day.

Here's one that I follow on a regular basis, mostly on Instagram. He's a local anchor here in Boston, but I love to follow him outside of work. Still keeps him fresh on my mind, and I'm more apt to tune into his time slot when he's on the air:



As you can see, he uses Instagram to share personal (but in this case, also work related) updates. In comparison, here is an entry from  his Twitter account:


Daniel utilizes different platforms for different messages and has likely had to have training on how to keep his business and personal lives separate from each other, not allowing them to blend together too much, so as not to hurt his brand (not that he ever posts things that would hurt his brand).

Even when Daniel is "off the clock" he is updating his Twitter account, keeping his followers informed on what is happening within the local area. This is another way for him to stay relevant and to strengthen his brand. He is always communicating, and always trying to stay on the forefront of our minds so that we don't move on to a different news channel or outlet.

"New technologies give journalists the opportunity to provide bits and pieces of news as it happens, often in faster and shorter ways. This gives the audience a chance to experience the news often at the same time as those reporting it" (Kolodzy, 2012).

No doubt there has been training on how to stand out within his news outlet, and as technology changes, chances are these communicators will receive further training in order to stay on the cutting edge of things. 


References:

Kolodzy, J. (2012). Practicing Convergence Journalism, 1st Edition. [MBS Direct]. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781136222825/