CHAPTER IV
Presentation, Interpretation, and Analysis of Data
This chapter presents, interprets, and analyzes the data gathered from the postal survey questionnaire and phone interviews conducted by the researcher from different media related respondents. The general population for this study is composed of 30 respondents (for survey method) and 5 individuals (for interview method) who are randomly selected. The researcher used open questions because it elicits more information. The questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data and the interviews were used to provide qualitative insights into the data collected. Basically, the findings of the study are presented in different sections.
Part One presents the profile of the respondents of this study that constitute the survey method. It is important to know the profile of respondents for the purposes of accuracy and validity in relation to their responses to survey questions as well as interview. It is assumed that the attributes of the respondents influence their behavior and answers on the survey questions.
On the other hand, Part Two discusses the main subject of the study – how to do news with new media. The discussion is subdivided into sub-sections that will provide information about the question being probed. The four main questions of this study will serve as the sub-sections as there are also some related information to be presented to support such.
Of particular significance to the achievement of the aims and objectives of the study – which is to be an instrument of analysis of the institution to gauge where it is now and where it is heading, thus what changes are to be made – is to be able to meet the following objectives:
To study the process of new making in new media;
To identify the characteristics of news making in new media ;
To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages, challenges and opportunities of news making in new media;
To asses the effects of new media in news.
Part One: Profile of the Respondents
Aside from the name of the respondents, which are withheld due to the agreement of anonymity, the three considerably important demographical attributes are age, educational attainment, and length of service.
Table 1
Age in Years
Frequency
Percentage
Below 20
0
0%
20-25
0
0%
26-30
2
6.67%
31-35
9
30%
36-40
10
33.33%
41-above
9
30%
Total
30
100%
Figure 1
Table 1 and Figure 1 show the age range of the respondents. Ten (33.33%) of the respondents’ age ranges from 36-40 years old, showing that most of them were already an experienced person in the job. Respondents of ages between 231-35 and 41 years old and above over all compromised 30% of the total respondents. These also shows the percentage of the ages of the respondents compromised to the following distribution; ages between 36-30 (6.67%), 20-25 (0%), and ages below 20 (0%).
Basically, the apparent diversity of the maturity of the respondents reflects several implications in the study’s findings. In relation of the age bracket of the respondents, the researcher could presume that in the said percentage, a considerable number could be among the adult members of the population.
Table 2
Educational Attainment
Frequency
Percentage
Elementary
0
0%
High School
0
0%
College/University
24
80%
Post Graduate
6
20%
Total
30
100%
Figure 2
Table 2 and Figure 2 illustrate the percentage distribution of the educational attainment of the respondents. Likewise, the respondents were asked for their educational attainment and the report shows 80% of them are college graduate. The survey indicates that most of the respondents are college graduate and are engage to the study. The diversity of the population is further asserted when the respondents were asked regarding their professional history. This data illustrate the maturity of the respondents particularly in terms of experience. On the other hand, the apparent youthfulness of the respondents, provided by their age and their year of professional experience could not be considered as deterrence to their responses considering that the researcher has made sure that the respondents are all knowledgeable about the current status of journalism. Moreover, there is a noticeable distinction of the respective positions of the younger generations in their respective perceptions towards the status of the said field.
Table 3
Number of Years
Frequency
Percentage
Less than a year
0
0%
1-3 years
0
0%
4-6 years
3
10%
7-9 years
5
16.67%
10-12 years
9
30%
13-15 years
7
23.33%
More that 15 years
6
20%
Total
30
100%
Figure 3
The table and the figure above illustrate the number of years of the respondents in their respective companies. It shows that most of the respondents are providing services in 10-12 years (30%) with their respective companies. This means that most of the respondents are knowledgeable enough to answer these queries. Further, 7 (23%), 6 (20%), 5 (17%) and 3 (10%) out of the respondents handle news writing position for 13-15 years, 10-12 years and 7-9 years and 4-6 years respectively.
Part Two. The Four Research Questions
Using the four main questions as indicator of discussion facilitates order of data, findings and generalizations.
A. The Creation of News in New Media
To answer this question, interviews that were conducted to several media practitioners particularly journalists and the results from the said procedure are the primary source of data. Surveys will only serve as supplemental source. The initial knowledge about the process of news making as provided by the literatures documented in the previous chapter is true. This section qualifies the traditional process of news making with the presence of new media technologies.
According to Interviewee No. 1, traditional media outfits use several methods to collect information before writing a news story. Most of the time, the journalist will go to the location of the incident in order to interview several sources and/or informants about the whereabouts of the event that is supposed to be written as news. Interviewing is the most popular method of gathering facts about a news story. After gathering information via interviewing people who are contributory to the needed facts, news writing will follow and finally delivered.
Before a journalist can push through with the process of news making, there is a primary need to initially accumulate facts that will make up the totality of his/her story. The essential ingredients of a news story are the five Ws – who, what, when, where, and why – and one H or how. After completing the said requirements, the process of making or writing the news can be started. However, before staring with the said endeavor, the journalist who intends to write a news article needs to define the scope of his/her news scoop. For example, considering local news to be the main subject, the journalist must be able to determine the area coverage and the potential receiver of the news. In the same manner, varieties of international news are also subject for consideration.
In gathering news facts, there are several characteristics that must be considered. Interviewee Nos. 1 and 2 affirmed that the news must be written with great consideration to its overall value or newsworthiness. Basing it from the principles of journalism, in order for an incident to be considered as news, it must be broad in interest. Further, there must be a relevance, strong effect or impact to its recipients. For news may inform, entertain, or educate the readers. Considering and relating the effect/s to people, news must be timely since time is a necessary element to make a news story worthy. A news story is as ‘hot as iron’ and current as the need of people to know what is happening or did the incident happen recently. The significant of the facts being provided is also necessary for the journalist to understand. Revelation as a characteristic of news must deal to information that is previously unknown, reinforcement to preceding and related events, or totally new. Usefulness is also considered to be an essential factor for news to be worthy. People have the innate perception on what will they benefit to the information being provided to them. The application of the information in a news story is imperative for them. Proximity or nearness is another consideration for the journalist. As stated in the case above, local news and international news items must be studied very carefully as to define its applicability and delivery to the immediate recipients – the readers. The nearness of the people to the news event determines their level of involvement and concern. Most of the cases, when a person is near the are wherein an incident happened, most likely, they are more affected and significantly need some information to sustain their requirement to know what actually happened. Human interest is also prime characteristic of a worthy news story. The innate ability of people to be hooked up with the most interesting information is very significant for the journalist. Even though the story is weak or does not meet the criteria of news and other news values, if it is interesting in some ways, it will still be read by the people. Human interest can be connected with the other characteristics of news.
In the recent years, according to Interviewee No. 2, there are several characteristics added that makes news even more worthy and interesting – among theses are: entertainment, oddity or unusualness (novelty), and celebrity or prominence. Interviewee No. 2 stipulated the relationship of the three characteristics in relation to the overall value of news. Traditionally, hard news stories are the most popular format. In order to neutralize the seriousness and prescribed foundations of hard news, several styles emerged. Since majority of news stories today are always fun in nature, the entertainment value of news is proven to be relative to its value. The more entertaining the news, the more people will read it. On the other hand, the unusualness or oddity of a news report keeps the reader more interested in reading the item form the start up to the end. Oddity may refer to something that is totally new, pioneering, and never happened at all. It is history in the making. Such facts that constitute a news story are a certified hit to readers. Lastly, the presence of celebrity or anyone famous in news story makes it even more interesting and valuable. Recently, the popularity of the involved individuals are highlighted more than what actually had happened. Due to the diverse utilization of news, news value and worthiness are taken for granted. According to the observations of Interviewee No. 2, news stories, specially the ones who are written during national events like elections, are diverted against the real essence of news. Propaganda is among the most widely applied function of news during those times – may it be for the good or bad benefits of the people concerned.
In gathering facts for a news story, all the interviewees agreed that people whom a journalist collect facts are credible and objective. Credibility of sources is among the biggest challenge that a journalist must justify. Some sources regardless of demographical attributes are to be considered reliable or credible given the fact that they seen, heard, felt, experienced, and/or personally involved in the incident. Their involvement to the incident is the elementary consideration for the journalist to take information from him/her/them. Meanwhile, journalists must not be contented with a limited number of source or one source alone. Ask many people at the time that he/she is outside the field. However, one should also know if it is already enough. An experienced journalist will know instantly on when to stop. After some series of interviewing or reporting to people, reading related write-ups (especially if the news is related to previous incident) is also helpful. Background information from previously written news stories will refresh the memory of readers, substantiate the new facts gathered, and make the article more effective. Then, after the said series of procedures, he/she will get into the process of writing the draft. On the aspect of objectivity, the sources must be honest in relaying the facts. A journalist will know if the person whom he/she is talking is telling the truth. According to Interviewee No. 1, experience and human instinct will give the answer.
In relation to gathering news facts for new media journalism, the interviewees stated that there is no significant difference to the manner in which mainstream media gather and collect facts. As the traditional means of journalism will do, facts are collected from sources, participants, and immediate informants of the event. However, there is the presence of large scope of application, coverage, and advantages in new media journalism. In the same manner, there are also setbacks and challenges that needed to be addressed and will be discussed in the later parts of this paper.
Newsworthiness is highly considered in new media journalism. Since it is a determinant of the absorption of people about the information being served to them, new media journalists strive harder to collect more informative and valuable news items. In addition, the large access of audiences (readers) to the vehicles of new media journalism demands more newsworthy stories. Majority of the interviewees avowed the fact that new media technologies had broke the limits of time and space and that even people from geographically distant places can access the news story right there in time.
Further, sources (like previously written articles) are easily retrieved by a journalist given that it will substantiate and support the occurrence of new related incidences. In this aspect, there are several issues to address like privacy, anonymity, plagiarism, objectivity, and credibility of sources. Such issues are discussed in the following portions of the paper.
The gathering of facts that will contain the news story may be done in several ways. In this case, the result of the survey proved that interviewing or reporting is the most popular method of gathering facts. The practice and/or art of interviewing are a very crucial to a journalist says Interviewee No. 3. Before the interview or reporting stage, the journalist is armed with his/her things (tape recorder, camcorder, pen, paper, etc.) that will help him/her in data gathering and most importantly, instant or ready questions that will bring out the needed information. Beforehand, he/she must have prepared question, at least written in a piece of paper, notepad, or palmtop, or mentally structured. By doing this, it will make him/her prepared and organized. This will ensure the providing of the needed facts. The foundations of interviewing and reporting in journalism are always evident in every university or college curriculum. However, there is a need for students to fully practice and exercise as well as integrate it with the dealings of the journalist.
In an interrogation or reporting, Interviewee No. 3 states that the journalist must use simple questions but will elicit comprehensive answers. Questions must also be structured properly in the manner of importance. In some cases, there are informants that will continuously talk and provide all the necessary facts needed. The journalist must be able to identify if the next questions to be asked are already answered by that uninterrupted response. Most journalists are gifted with the talent of effective interviewing/reporting. There are times that sensitive questions are asked from informants. The journalist must be careful in delivering the question because at times, responses to sensitive questions are not given. Such questions are left unanswered. In cases that a respondent did not answer or address the question properly, the journalist restructures or revises the question to make it somewhat different but still aims for the same response. Respect is the name of the game says Interviewee No. 3.
Ambush interviews are the most abused manner of interviewing especially to news items that are controversial in nature. In relation to the above principles as stated by Interviewee No. 3, the journalist must think fast especially in constructing questions. Sensitive questions are not rudely asked. Respect is very crucial. And given the fact that time pressure is presence because the respondent might not stay long, necessary information are completed by the journalist. There are also some situations that the journalist needs to schedule a private or individual interview with a respondent. In these cases, written notice that asks permission should be sent to the office of the respondent in applicable. It is also helpful to call the person before going to office (or any location) to interview him/her.
In new media journalism, the above practice is also evident and similar to the traditional media of print and broadcast provided that it is strictly done and implemented based from the given convention of effective craft of interviewing. Personal or face to face interview is the most frequently used method (see Table 4). The news editor intervenes in some of these cases. Interviewee Nos. 4 and 5 confirmed some limitations in relation to interviewing or reporting respondents or sources for news items. As similar to the previously stated setbacks (e.g. privacy, anonymity, objectivity, and credibility), the interview/reporting process must be reinforce by some related mechanisms like reference to various linked incidences. In the same manner, innovative technology paved way to pioneering means of interviewing. Aside from the traditional face to face, postal, or telephone interview/reporting, new media interview and reportage could be done through the Internet (chatting, e-mail, etc.) and via streaming media (Interviewee Nos. 4 and 5). This great leap in technology makes it easier for journalist to acquire information and deliver to the people as fast and fresh as possible.
In the survey conducted, the following table presents the frequently used method of gathering facts in new media journalism.
Table 4
Method of Gathering Fact
Frequency
Percentage
(Interviewing/Reporting)
Written (postal or e-mail)
5
16.70%
Phone
2
6.70%
Personal (face to face)
7
23.30%
On field and location of event
4
13.30%
Reference to previously related incidents
2
6.70%
Others
Ambush
2
6.70%
Man on the Street (MOS)
1
3.30%
Internet (e.g. Chatting)
4
13.30%
Streaming media
3
10%
TOTAL
30
100%
Basing it from the table, data states that personal or face to face interview (23.305) is still the most widely and frequently used in gathering facts. Due to the given advantage of personal interview, most journalists perfected and trusted the method throughout the year. Other methods like written (16.70%), phone (6.70%), on field and location of event (13.30%), reference to previously related incidents (6.70%), and others such as ambush (6.70%) and man on the street (3.30%) are also utilized but not as frequent as personal interview. According to Interviewee No. 3, the interviewing or reporting done by the journalist is dependent on his/her objective, type of news story to be written, and style of writing. Further, with the emergence of advancement in terms of communication technology, other methods like Internet-based (13.30%) and streaming media (10%) are also used.
As stated in the previous chapters, the process of gathering facts in new media is the same with the mainstream media. The existing processes in the new media originated from the old ways. According to (1995), there are two ways that are available for journalists and reporters in using computer-assisted reporting (CAR) in news gathering which include online-based method and data-based analysis. Online-based newsgathering makes use of commercial services offered by business enterprises and Internet-based services like the World Wide Web ( 1995b). The data-based analysis, on the other hand, uses original databases which could be of both public and private in orientation ( 1995a; 1996). (1996) claimed that commercial databases initiated the information revolution that defines the present era fueled by the successive developments in the features and services provided by the Internet and the World Wide Web. (1995) further stated that CAR strategies have been increasingly adopted by investigative reporters.
(1999) provided five ways used most frequently by journalist in producing their news articles. These news information gathering techniques include off-the-record, for background only, not for direct quotation, hold for release and private gatherings. Off-the-record news gathering usually takes place in small gatherings or interviews wherein the news sources ask the reporter to make succeeding statements of the record or give the journalists the option to look for other informants instead. However, there are instances when phony off-the-record- remarks used by the reporter as background to the story he or she is writing making sure that the meanings of the word used by the informant were clearly understood. For background only news gathering procedure is known as information without attribution or the rule of compulsory plagiarism used when a person of considerable importance holding a delicate position is providing information wherein his or her name can not be used for reasons of public policy or personal vulnerability usually taken by informants who want to state leads but are not willing to compromise their stakes in the issue.
Meanwhile, sources are important factors to consider in gathering facts for a news story. The following table depicts the characteristics that are common to potential sources.
Table 5
Characteristic of a Potential Source
Frequency
Percentage
Credible
15
50%
Objective
12
40%
Other characteristics specified
3
10%
TOTAL
30
100%
The sources of facts should be credible enough, objective, knowledgeable, etc. in order to be a potential source of information. Form the survey conducted, 50% of the total population believes that credibility is the major characteristic of the source. Followed by 40%, objectivity is proven to be necessary. Lastly, other specified characteristics (10%) like knowledge, background, ability to relate to the subject of the news story is also considered. According to Interviewee No. 3, by having such characteristics of potential sources, some problems encountered by journalists (e.g. bias reporting, propaganda, etc.) are minimized. Thus, the aforementioned characteristics must be ensured by the journalist in order for the news story to be reliable and accurate.
Since new media uses its advantages in several ways like propaganda and eliciting public opinion, (1972) and (1997) recognize the effect of the assumptions held by authors regarding the ‘passive’ position of their readers on the content of the messages that could either contribute to or detract from the credibility of the source. Similar to the claims of rhetorical criticism, critical literacy “complements media literacy in particular as it offers a way to examine how media messages are designed for certain groups, why some media texts might be more effective than others, what issues are raised by media coverage, and whose interests are served by media content’ ( 2002). Hence, the shared values and lifestyle dictated by the way of presenting particular ideologies to the society could either be beneficial or harmful to the way the general public will decide the fate of their communities especially in the democratic social structure and policy governance.
In regard to discourse about new technologies, we need to consider what claims are credible, that evidences are accurate, and which spokespersons are truly acting in the public interest (Interviewee Nos. 1 and 2). We also should recognize explicitly how advocates and writers use narratives, myths, forms of language, and visual images to tell their stories (Interviewee Nos. 3 and 4). Through critical examination of these features, we can begin to see what ideologies are at work and whose interests are being served by the discourse. This is an important step to a thorough understanding of the issues at stake in the formation of technology policy and of how decisions on these issues may affect us and our lives.
Prior to the completion of the information needed, the journalist must define if the news article to be written is hard or soft news (Interviewee Nos. 2, 3 and 5). Hard news is characterized by serious and timely topics that are written following the conventions of journalistic news making. It is used by most journalists who tackle stories about national interest such as current events, politics, economics, business, and high-end segments of the society. On the other hand, soft news is the opposite of hard news; it is often a light topic and similarly light in treatment or delivery. Among the widely tackled soft news are featured events, arts, people (celebrity), human related aspects, lifestyle, and others. Other types of news stories fall from the gray areas of the two main types – breaking news, news analysis, and investigative report. It is important for the journalist to know the differences of the aforementioned types of news in order for him/her to have a distinct and clear picture of his/her real intent and objective in writing the news story.
Table 6
Type of News
Frequency
Percentage
Hard
12
40%
Soft
9
30%
Other types
Breaking
5
16.67%
News Analysis
1
3.33%
Investigative report
3
10%
TOTAL
30
100%
In new media journalism, hard news (40%) is still the frequently used type of news story. Similar to mainstream media, hard news constitute most part of the page. Soft news (30%) is next in line. According to Interviewee No. 2, soft news are just neutralizers to the seriousness and rigidity of hard news. Meanwhile, other types that emerged from the gray areas of the two major types – breaking (16.67%), news analysis (3.33%), and investigative report (10%) constitute the remaining segment. With new media journalism, breaking news are easy to get due to the immediacy and rapidity of transfer of information (Interviewee No. 3). In a span of minutes after the occurrence of the event and with the presence of correspondent, the news story is made available to the public. News analysis, on the other hand are done by editors and media scholars (particularly political, economical, and sociological) in relation to the origin, impacts, and other related consequences of a news story. Lastly, investigative reports are occasionally included especially if there are several controversial issues occurring and/or occurred already during the period of coverage. Journalists, according to Interviewee No. 5, must be intellectual enough to categorized on what treatment or type of news should be made in relation to the story as well as the facts gathered. The ability of the journalist to predict what will happen next is also indispensable.
With the given types of news, there are also some styles in writing news stories. According to all the interviewees and as a result of the survey, the inverted pyramid is the most widely used and accepted style of writing news (see Table 6). There are other styles in writing news depending on the application and objective of the news story, choice and premeditated approach of the journalist. The inverted pyramid style or ‘from most important to lesser importance technique’ is characterized by the presence of essential and interesting elements in the first parts of the article and supported by some sustaining information in the end. Like the inverted pyramid itself, a news story that is written in this manner has several advantages (Interviewee Nos. 3 and 5) Among the other styles of news writing aside from the traditional inverted pyramid style are the following: “the narrative; the point of view, which tells a story with a viewpoint being immediately clear to the reader and has an ending that cements the point in the reader’s mind” (1993, p. 3 cited in 1998); and “the radical clarity style, with material arranged in an order that maximized the reader’s understanding and explained everything the reader might question by supplying background information and context early in the story” ( 1998).
Table 6
News Style
Frequency
Percentage
Inverted Pyramid Style
21
70%
Narrative
5
16.67%
Point of View
1
3.33%
Radical Clarity Style
1
3.33%
Others (Feature, etc.)
2
6.67%
TOTAL
30
100%
In writing news in new media, news style is also important to consider. Referring to the table above, the traditional inverted pyramid (70%) is the frequently used news style. It is followed by narrative (16.70%), point of view and radical clarity style (both 3.30%) and other types such as feature (6.70%). The traditional inverted pyramid style is the globally utilized style (Interviewee Nos. 3 and 5). Several reasons on this fact are: inverted pyramid presents quick, sharp, and clear news stories, allows skimming, convenient for copy editors in editing purposes, and helps in headline making ( 1986; 1984 cited in 1998). On the other hand, (1993 cited in 1998) identified some setbacks of inverted pyramid style. According to him, stories written in the inverted pyramid style drop their steam as they go along, that the “story gets more boring as the reader reads down” (p. 6).
“…This style is made more difficult to read because many journalists wait until the second half of the story to include background information, so the reader who is not familiar with the background does not understand the first half of the story. Consequently, writes, the only people who truly understand the inverted pyramid stories are the journalists and their sources” (1993, p. 6 cited in 1998).
In new media journalism, inverted pyramid style is very much used but narrative and others are also utilized. Certain conditions, according to Interviewee Nos. 4 and 5, require other styles. For instance, in dealing with human interest stories such as events, celebrity, arts, and other light topics, soft news, narrative and even feature is more applicable. Point of view style is used in news analysis and editorials. Radical clarity style falls on topics that needed to be individually stipulated and discussed.
Writing news in new media also entail the ABC of News (All Interviewees). The ABC of news is the following: Accuracy, Brevity, and Clarity ( 2006). News articles written for new media, as similar to mainstream media, are governed by this universal fact in the practice and profession of journalism. As supported by all the interviewees, the ABC of news can make or break its overall outcome. Accuracy refers to the exact information supported by evidences. It contains no errors (grammar and spelling) and unbiased. On the other hand, brevity is the briefness of the story. Go directly to the point and do not be superfluous. According to Interviewee Nos. 3, 4, and 5, the inverted pyramid is the most effective style to be used in maintaining brevity since by reading the lead of the story, the readers has already captured the gist of the remaining parts. With the given limitation of readers and space (in traditional media), short news stories are likely to be read by more people as to compare with long ones. Clarity is the use of general statements that every reader could understand. The comprehensibility of the news story is the main goal of the journalist. After reading the news story, the readers must be able to have the main idea. Simple sentences, words, and phrases will make the average reader understand the message. However, another challenge for every journalist is to create knowledge and leave information to readers. The convenience of simple sentences, words, or phrases must not delimit the journalist to explore possible means. Good reporting is brief yet comprehensive.
The five Ws and one H must be covered in a news story. This does not mean that all this elements are seen in the lead. Usually, the first sentences of the story contain the what, who, where, and when and most of the time serve as the lead. In the succeeding parts of the news story, the why and how will follow and is used as supporting elements especially in giving specific details.
The lead is considered as the hardest part in the process of news making (all interviewees). According to (2006), the lead is the first word, sentence or paragraph in the whole story. In some special cases, it may reach two or three paragraphs. Given any particular length, the lead plays a vital role in the totality of news story. The lead serves as: 1) stimulate readers’ interest; 2) direct readers on certain points; 3) give readers the necessary details needed; and 4) get readers to the main point (Interviewee Nos. 2, 3, and 5). There are some considerations to be taken at hand in writing lead for news stories. (2006) tagged them as rules. The four rules are: 1) keep it short; 2) get to the point; 3) focus on the action; and 4) hook the reader. Keeping a short lead means having a sentence not longer than 10 words – the general rule. News writing is constantly hectic but the need of the lead to be short demand special care. Getting to the point means that the reader will have the idea on what to expect at the succeeding parts of the story. Key words are necessary to identify. Further, focus on the action is the use of ‘active voice’ in writing. Always use action words and avoid wordiness. The general principle to this is present on the pattern of who did what to whom ( 2006). Lastly, hooking the reader entails stimulating and maintaining interest. The journalist must be able to hold the interest of the reader until the last word of the news story.
(2006) said that this rules are not followed at times because of some feature leads or ‘anecdotal” in nature. But in news stories in new media, effective leads work best. As agreed by all the interviewees, the lead of a news story in new media does not constitute special attribute. Instead, it is totally similar to the traditional ones. However, Interviewee No. 4 stated that the lead of a story is also dependent to the style and type of the story to be written.
Starting a story depends on the own approach and ability of the journalist. Generally, every paragraph of the news story flows naturally. With the aid of collected information from considerable number of reliable sources, make the story “write itself” (2006). The narrative element will take its own course but with the regulation of the journalist on what to include and to remove. Story elements are written in logical order or most common – chronological. The personal style of the journalist in writing permits him/her to use variety in his/her written output.
In general, the body of a news story supplements the main information present within. It clarifies some data with certain specifications. For instance, the use of quotations makes the story more interesting. Interviewee Nos. 1, 3, and 4 suggested that quotes must be highly related to the wholeness of the story. If the journalist is making a hard news and conducted a personal interview, he/she can quote the person pr source instantly. Use direct quotation marks when applying this approach. However, it is also advisable to state information in the journalist’s own words in order for the story not appear as a collection of quotations. There are instances that journalist’s own words are more comprehensible. But, they are also warned to be accurate and objective. In quoting, make sure to state who is talking. There is also a need to verify unsure facts. By doing so, accuracy is guaranteed. The journalist must keep in mind the goal of informing the readers.
The use of transition is also noted (Interviewee No. 1). Transition also serves as guide to the specifications of information present in the story. For instance, use introductions as transition tools between the sources. The use of transitional statement will also aid the readers. Do not immediately shift from one fact or argument to another. Signal readers and set a scene for a new area of discussion ( 2006). By doing such, news impact and effectiveness in ensured.
Ending the story is also very important. Interviewee Nos. 3 and 5 stated that a good beginning must be equated with a good ending. This is particularly true to the statement of (2006):
“Although the news writing style tries to put the most important information in the beginning, in order to draw in readers, it is also important to save something for a good ending. A good ending gives a “rounded out” feeling to a story, especially if the end makes reference to information in the lead.”
In broader application, the whole news story must meet its ultimate goal – to inform readers. Along side with this, entertainment and other motives will also be drawn out. The journalist is the only person that can define the real objective of a news story. All in all, writing news in new media is similar to the mainstream media. There are just alterations not in the process of making, but in gathering (using electronically-based systems), processing (computer) and delivery (online) of the finished product. These features will be discussed in later parts of the paper.
The news delivery in new media is fast (Interviewee Nos. 1, 4, and 5). Given the features of technology, the delivery of news is different as to compare with the conventional vehicles of communication particularly in the field of journalism. Such features are highly related to the features and characteristics of the Internet and the World Wide Web.
B. The Characteristics or Features of News Making in New Media
In the continuing culture of modernization together with the process of globalization, everything goes digital or technology-based. Perhaps, the rapid growth of technological advancement in the society has brought people so much ease in all the things they do. Undeniably, everything is credited in the apparent advantage of human knowledge and technology. Technology refers to the equipment and techniques that are being used in managing and processing relevant information the most effective way possible ( 1991). It is important for various institutions like the field of journalism and its related processes, and individuals to keep themselves updated to the latest trends so as to keep the competitive value of their services as well as their skills in the global setting. Technology has always been a major means for creating new physical and human environments. It is possible to ask today whether technology will also destroy the global civilization that human beings have created ( 2000).
Among the numerous and obvious trends that depicts the utilization of technology is the involvement of its use in improving the traditional operations and machineries of most organizations and at the same time the technical skills of every individuals. In the field of journalism, people are no longer using the manual typesetting (by typewriter or handwritten) of news articles instead replaced by word processors and various computer sets, while the gathering of facts/reporting/personal interviews are replaced by phone (e.g. mobile, office, home, etc.), electronic mail (e-mail), online chatting or conversation, and other technologically innovative means developed and used today. These technological advancements have brought people especially those in the business world to utilize a strategy that would be helpful in enhancing the business value of any organization ( 2001). The intricacies of achieving success through increased efficiency, effectiveness and competitiveness, combined with innovative applications of information technology (IT) has heightened the awareness of both IT and managers towards more strategically oriented approaches for planning and management ( 1993).
Since most office technologies nowadays are web-based (Internet-based), people are no longer bounded by the barriers of time and space. For instance, in the media sector, the media practitioners can choose the proper setting for the coverage as well as. The people can decide whether the meeting should be done in real-time or whether the clients can participate and contribute their ideas only when their schedule allows them to. Either way, it can be assured of getting the same focus and productivity while at the same time having a significantly greater flexibility in terms of scheduling.
The given processes are just a segment of the complex yet functional application of technology. Today, the introduction of new interactive media through the use of modern and digital technologies paved way to better and more interesting services. The given advantage of such technologies in relation to accessibility, convenience and efficiency make it indispensable in the ways of life of the contemporary civilization. Traditionally, television, newspaper and radio are the most basic sources of information and news of people. The introduction of the Internet and WWW paved way to the emergence of journalism in new media, which is very popular in the recent times.
Table 7 presents the characteristics and features of new media technologies that contribute to the overall process of news making and delivery in new media.
Table 7
Characteristic or Feature of the Internet and WWW
Frequency
Percentage
Accessible
8
26.67%
Easy to use (user-friendly)
5
16.67%
Effective and efficient
4
13.33%
Large in scope and coverage
6
20%
Diverse and multi-functional
4
13.33%
Other characteristics or features
Interactive
2
6.67%
Dynamic
1
3.33%
TOTAL
30
100%
Accordingly, the survey conducted to the total population proved that new media is very accessible (26.67%) in relation to news making. Followed by the features such as: large in scope and coverage (20%), easy to use (user-friendly) (16.67%), effective and efficient and diverse and multi-functional (both 13.33%), and others such as interactive (6.67%) and dynamic (3.33%), new media is highly influential to the recent condition of journalism particularly the process of making news.
The invention of the computer and the introduction of the Internet and the World Wide Web to the public ( 1999) offered greater opportunities to people as well as advancement to their manual activities before. Of particular kind of technologies, like the Internet, that reign in almost all aspects and industries in the society today are helpful in analyzing data and managing information. The Internet is the most primary technological device used at the present and is considered as a “prime example of a large-scale, highly engineered, yet highly complex system” (2002) by contemporary computer experts and scientists. With the various given advantages of the said technology, the Internet is rapidly transforming and enhancing many aspects of modern society ( 1999) such as education, social and cultural structures, politics, health care, and economics. The Internet is quickly becoming the mainstream media because of the many positive effects that it has on the way that users communicate, receive and disseminate information (Interviewee Nos. 1, 3, and 4). In the same manner, the Internet was used extensively for communications as well as for information gathering and dissemination (All Interviewees). Early and continuing excitement about the Internet saw it as stimulating positive change in people’s lives by creating new forms of interaction and enhancing relationship. Using the Internet, data and information are critical in helping the journalist to do their jobs better and faster considering their present status. In order to cut costs, increase productivity, spot trends faster, and communicate more effectively with the target audience, technologies are applied and employed. However, in order to achieve the said goals, the data and information need to be relevant, accurate, complete and timely.
The convergence of digital technologies including television, telephone, and computers has stimulated the reach of the innovations of the Internet and WWW. Digital video, audio, and interactive multimedia are growing in popularity and increasing the demand for Internet bandwidth – the amount of data that can be transmitted over the Internet in a fixed amount of time ( 2003). As yet, however, there has been no convergence or consensus on either the economics or the future policy framework of the Internet. There are some problems that occur in the process namely, privacy and security concerns, cases of plagiarism and intellectual property violations, credibility and objectivity, and the likes (Interviewee Nos. 3 and 5). Consequently, this technologically advanced age where old models are unlikely to be totally swept away; new models emerge and alter people’s expectations and traditional way of doing things perpetually. New innovations though, are not completely new. In many instances, they are just products of old medium over time and are enriched, developed, and directed by the mighty power of human’s inclination to invention.
Information technology (IT) is transforming the way that the practice of journalism is conducted. Computers inputs data, checks grammar and spelling, offers automation, keeps track of the movement of writing, stores records, and all. Word processing and personal computers are changing the patterns of journalistic work. The spread of IT is affecting the efficiency and competitiveness of journalism, the structure of the work force, and the overall growth of medium. This transformation in the way in which information is managed in the economy constitutes a revolution that may have various consequences as large as those brought about by the industrial revolution.
Similarly, the above examples of technology enable the automation of multiple tasks. This is made possible through the presence of the Internet and the WWW. According to Interviewee Nos. 2, 4, and 5, there are certain technologies that provide the incorporation of important documents of all types through the integration of images into these technologies. These technologies include applications such as word processing, database, and mail, all of which are able to access image documents. The storage of document images is made possible through the utilization of a variety of storage media such as microfilms and optical disks. An image access subsystem, on the other hand, provides to each of the applications the uniform access to images stored on all of the media. The image access subsystem can then be used as a hardware controller to handle some of the complex events in the retrieval of images from the image storage devices. A relational database system must be used in order to organize the stored images so as to provide flexible access to the images and to isolate any effects of reconfiguration of the image storage system.
As part of the automation, these technologies give the journalist the ability to quickly define emerging needs and processes or standardize the cycle (Interviewee Nos. 1 and 4). Real-time information gives journalists unprecedented levels of control and ability to manage the next stages of the process. Rollup forecasting lets journalists and reporters keep an eye on the big picture. Moreover through IT, the journalism and other media vehicles would be able to introduce the concept of ‘involved parties’ in which the whole field intended to interact with like. For example, the reporter would want to talk to a certain organization; through this the reporter can easily have an access immediately to prospected bodies and may have the possibility to converse with the personnel wherever the place may be. The IT enables communication between all the involved parties, but where suitable, it also allows others to communicate in return.
As the journalists would be aware that there is certain software which may help them to use new media technologies in a more meaningful way, they would be able to have these advantages (Interviewee Nos. 2 and 3). As this new technology had been able to use by the company, it can provide many features that helped the flow of the journalism functions. Particular software can automate and remove the workload and carry out tasks without ambiguity avoiding misunderstandings. Every news editor creates large files containing all the documents of the reporters that are often too big to exchange via email. Time and money is lost while couriers carry CD’s between individuals and offices. This kind of technology allows the journalist to recreate different paper forms in an electronic format for any purpose such as, articles, reports, surveys, assessments, and other forms of paper tasks. Through this automated system, reminders are generated and e-mailed to reporters from editors to make sure deadlines are met. The reporters can create and associate news stories and the editors are automatically informed when articles requiring approval are submitted. The overall editors can also accept or request revision for a news story.
There are four important factors applicable to the Internet that do not overlap with traditional mass media such as the television, the radio and the print, and which bear on the Internet’s potential for democracy. These include the anarchic nature of the Internet, its interactive features which allow direct feedback to individual articles and opinions, the possibility for web sites to create content primarily through the contributions of its readers, and longevity of materials ( 2001).
The anarchic nature of the Internet is its characteristic of wide reach and spread across enormous number of computers all over the world which are linked altogether by the current services it offers and the impossibility of for a single organization, company or institution to take control of these units. The Internet has a decentralized physical structure that gets back at it since it would be very difficult to identify every participating computer and control it. Unlike the traditional modes of mass communication technologies which has the capacity to control the content and bulk of information that will be fed to the public, the Internet can only offer a varied collection of choices from which an individual person may select upon his or her personal discretion. The traditional forms of mass communication has long been used to persuade and influence the public through propaganda and public releases that a particular company or business organization can pay for, usually to gain economic advantage against its competitors in the market. The use of the Internet can be considered somewhat evasive in the perspective of the audience since they are consider as active receivers of media messages from which they can react to or against from.
Meanwhile, further discussion in the subsequent parts of the paper will be given to the stated features and characteristics of new media. The constructive features/characteristics of the Internet and WWW are coupled with some drawbacks. Similarly, challenges and opportunities are also prevalent. The next part deals with the discussion of such identified factors.
C. The Advantages, Disadvantages, Challenges, and Opportunities of News Making in New Media
The transformation of media into digital format has changed media landscape and attempts to develop new trends and future developments. In today’s society, there is a new challenge in the modern technology sweeping the nation overall spectrum. The revolution of the media into digital format becomes a source of pioneering new grounds. Media will be everywhere, and will not be tied to a single point. These changes of media have big impacts especially on the people in relation to the way information is transferred. The impacts of the transformation is in wide digital format on the technology itself and this alteration will create bigger responsibilities and changes on the part of media and communication industry as well as its practitioners and other people concerned. Also, there will be an increase in the funding of the capital and investment with accordance to the renovation of media into digital format.
The production and dissemination of media news information involves selection and interpretation regardless of the medium. The power of the media comes from their ability to select what information is going to become news and what is not, the latter material falling well away from the public view. How well the media perform their role of information transcribes is certainly open to question. Multimedia is developed to further improve the everyday living of the people. It designed to aid the needs of the person utilizing it. It is not created nor invented to harm anybody. Therefore, responsible use of media should be observed and laws on multimedia abuses should be developed in order to minimize if not to eliminate the negative effects.
In this particular section, the Interviewees are the sole sources of primary data and backed up with literatures collected in the early stage of the research.
It has been widely recognized that new media technologies have numerous useful applications. On this case, the Internet and the WWW remains greatly contributory to the development of the world and foundational human processes. With these changes, as a matter of fact, today’s audiences differ demographically, socio-economically and psychologically as to compare from those of earlier decades ( 1990). The advantages of new media are used in order to deviate from the traditional ways of doing things.
In relation to this research, all the interviewees agreed that accessibility, ease of use (user-friendliness), effectiveness and efficiency (cost), large scope of coverage (audience/readers), diversity and multi-functionality (applications), and others like interactivity and dynamism are among the advantages of new media technologies particularly the Internet and the WWW.
Accessibility provides the gift of fast access, convenience and accessibility to the areas and locations of news or events through the electronic transfer of information (all interviewees). Thus, the barriers of communication are minimized or even eliminated. The new media technologies like the Internet and WWW also caters to individuals and smaller groups of people with fewer resources and constrained by financial factors to present and illustrate their ideas and points of view to a large number of people. There are at present services in the Internet wherein individual people and groups of individuals can make available their materials such as online journals and groups in which specific people are only allowed for membership (Interviewee No. 3). The comments and opinions in these sites are made available for public use and information and not for the members alone. Individuality in the diverse social setting is also provided by the Internet since it offers a venue for all kinds of people to air and address their views and grievances to particular social institutions as well as to specific individuals (Interviewee No. 5). Opposing opinions are all made available to the public and balanced as well as equality of views are presented. Storage and retrieval of important data and information are also features of the Internet for more efficient information management in cases of reviews and researches.
Ease of use (user-friendliness) and the reliance of the people on the information that new media carry presets their dependence of the media as a source of data. Since the Internet and WWW are the most accessible media of communication today, the people are well-versed on how to use such especially so that every individual are exposed to the mediums themselves. In most houses, the media is a part of the household. Being so, it is a part of the socialization process. Most people rely on media in forming their opinions on whom to vote for, to their consumption of products and the appropriate attitudes. Gradually, from the individual level, the family is socialized by what they see and what they hear from the media.
In terms of effectiveness and efficiency, new media particularly the Internet and WWW also provides the opportunity as well as the possibility of creating website content through the contributions of its readers alone (Interviewee Nos. 2 and 3). However, Interviewee No. 4 argued that the new media require experts from the field of communication to come up with highly conceptualized materials that will be accessed by the audience. She suggested that script writers, columnists, editors, proof readers, copy writers, directors, production managers and executives as well as researchers who create the right materials that will be made available to the public can do the job. The Internet gives such prerogative to its users through personal maintenance and updates of their accounts as it offers room for individuality and diversity.
Due to the availability and user-friendliness, sizeable scope of coverage is very prominent in new media technologies. The internationalization of information is highly possible through new technologies (Interviewee No. 1). Thus, the free flow of information is not only limited to a certain place but also to others. Unlike the broadcast media and the print media, the Internet has active participation from its audiences since they themselves have the power to change or modify the information and sites being provided to them by the service.
Diversity and multi-functionality is seen through extensive sources that are offered and will help the journalist to write comprehensive manuscripts (Interviewee Nos. 4 and 5). Materials that would have a short life in print or broadcast media can have a much longer life on the Internet or web. These include things such as articles in newspapers, transcripts of interviews, private communication in letters or forums and so on. Because political debate in the traditional media is restricted and sold as a commodity and has significant implications, comments that would otherwise be heard once and be extremely difficult to retrieve now have a long life. Usenet is a particularly compelling example. Comments made on political issues in newsgroups are available for searching a couple of years later. Of course, this can have negative effects as well for those living in repressive countries. It creates an enormously valuable repository of the evolving discussion, which can be traced through time and reviewed at leisure, something that was extraordinarily difficult to do before the Internet.
Others advantages such as interactivity and dynamism is seen in various instances. These advancements assist to intensify and improve interpersonal associations in all areas of journalism. The point of interaction between journalists and media increases as they work collaboratively to accomplish various working objectives (Interviewee No. 3). The interactive features of the Internet allow it to access direct feedback to the individual articles and opinions posted by the users. Compared to the old forms of mass media, the Internet can immediately answer to the feedback and comments of the audience to give them the satisfaction and convenience to their readers. In the case of television, for example, the ratings of the shows as well as the audience share of a particular program or channel take weeks to months of inquiry and statistical study. The Internet service providers, on the other hand, can immediately access and monitor the use and co0mments of its users and audience. However, it should be pointed out that television and the radio has amended their system operations through the use of wireless communication mobile and the telephone connections in the homes of the audience which they use in order to take the pulse of their target audience.
Online communities are formed wherein people of similar lifestyle, interests and views can develop small interconnected virtual society that will cater to their specific needs and interests. Interactivity is guaranteed because of the interconnectedness between the audience members and that of the web sites enabling more numbers of two-way communications than what has been previously possible. However, according to (2002), these contributions of the Internet do not hold out the promise of a revolutionary change to participatory democracy or a new Athenian age, but they do present an opportunity for more voices to be heard in the public sphere in a new way. Dynamism, on the other hand is the convergence of technology and journalism profession that bring further developments to the art of journalizing, writing, and even analytical skills (Interviewee Nos. 1, 3, and 5). All in all, new technologies will benefit the traditional processes of journalism by transforming it into revolutionary changes brought about by the devices, systems, and other technologies at hand.
Contrary to the positive side, new media technologies also include possible disadvantages. According to the interviewees, disadvantages range from technical barriers, privacy and security concerns (e.g. Plagiarism, Intellectual Property Violation, Copyright issues, Protocol Violations, etc.), and issues on sources of news.
Primarily, technical problems are the frequently mentioned drawback of the new media technologies (All interviewees). Technical barriers are related to the operations of the instruments used by the media. These include computer settings, network traffic/jam and connection troubles. (See Challenges for Discussion)
Another disadvantage is the presence of privacy and security concerns (All interviewees). The risks and issues on security are high. With the increase in usage of the Internet, certain concerns about security arise. Privacy violations, pornography, transaction security breaches, unsolicited e-mail ( 1995) and other questionable or illegal activities being conducted online have become hotly debated issues. Some see regulation as the only answer to protection from unwelcome intrusion; but due to the universal nature of the Internet, regulation will be extremely difficult, if not impossible ( 2002, 4.). One novel type of Internet fraud involves “page-jacking” – misdirecting web surfers to false copies of legitimate businesses and tricking them into revealing passwords and personal identification numbers, or diverting them from seemingly benign sites to online pornography sites from which they cannot escape ( 1999). The computer’s ability to gather and sort vast amounts of data and the Internet’s ability to distribute it globally has magnified the concern of privacy and anonymity on the Web ( 2000). Users’ privacy issues are not new. People have been worried for years about how personal data are used by the government and, more recently, by businesses ( 1995).
In order to resolve these security issues, for instance, companies utilized various means of protections. One of which is through the installation of a firewall. A firewall is a means of securing internet users that is basically made up of a system of a group of systems, which serves as the enforcer of a control policy between two networks. In a way, a firewall works like a membrane of a computer system, wherein it could either block or permit traffic. Some firewalls however, emphasizes more on blocking traffic, while some are developed to stress more on permitting it. The main purpose of putting firewalls on computer systems is to hinder unauthorized internet users from accessing the user’s private networks, particularly the networks of major organizations or companies whose data are highly confidential.
Apparently, (1998) has noted that aside from firewalls, encryption is another useful measure in preventing internet security issues. Encryption is actually a process which changes a message into a sequence of coded numbers, which makes the message incomprehensible to users other than the intended recipient. The process of encryption utilizes mathematical algorithms for concealing private or confidential information. This is mainly used for protecting system files as well as e-mail messages (1999). A number of other possible programs or software applications that could protect users for internet security problems are also used by organizations.
Furthermore, sources issues like plagiarism, sensationalism, credibility, and accuracy are also drawbacks. Due to the enormous sources of information, journalists are prone to commit such irregularities. The role of control and regulation is necessary. Credibility and objectivity must also be strictly considered by journalist (Interviewee No. 2). These two attributes can define the effect of the news story written by the reporter – whether or not the reader will believe it or not. Further, anonymity also matters (Interviewee No. 4). Once an individual has ventured into cyberspace, it is hard to remain anonymous (2001). But as much as possible, journalist must identify their sources because it adds up to the validity and reliability of information being conveyed to the audience.
According to (cited 2005), there are several threats to the utilization of the Internet. Such threats are related to the freedom that the medium has. Among these threats enumerated are: loss of privacy, filtering to control access to particular Internet sites or content, an unrelenting war being waged by media companies against any kind of peer-to-peer data exchanges (which would be, by definition, beyond intellectual property controls), and a sellout by the technology industry (particularly to the makers of computers and networking hardware) or to Big Media ( 2005).
Thus, new technologies affect the journalism profession in both positive and negative way. To mention them one by one is like sailing to a never ending body of water. However, it is beneficial to consider that new technologies are created for the development of the traditional means of journalism medium. It is directed to the common good of every person who utilizes it. What is important is that every journalist must live to practice the ethics and best standards of the journalistic profession.
In the field of journalism, the Internet has been very popular in accessing the latest and most updated archives of news and current events information. (1998) stated in their report that as information searches are the most important purpose for Internet use, electronic newspapers are becoming prevalent. Journalists must now also consider the implications of writing for electronic newspapers ( 1998).
According to the interviewees, the challenges that new media technologies encounter especially in relation to the process of making news are technical barriers (e.g. computer settings, network traffic/jam, and connection troubles), maintaining objectivity, and stiff competition among others.
Technical barriers are undeniably the primary problem of new media technologies. The state of the computer as one of the most important element of new media journalism is the elementary barrier of an effective transport. The computer is the first instrument wherein data are encoded, restored, sent, received, and others. For instance, in a news story that is supported by a video clip, according to (2003), ill-equipped computers themselves are not capable of handling any type of video playback with sense of élan. In video streaming, the condition and ability of the computer set is highly essential. Since some of the qualities in the retrieval of files are dependent on the medium, it is necessary to indicate if it is in good condition or not. Upgraded computers are recommended to be used in any process of streaming – either making or viewing/listening to streamed items. Commercial computers nowadays are all fully equipped with the ability to conduct streaming. Hence, this issue is addressed to people who possess earlier computer models.
Network traffic/jam is a result of the numerous functions that occur throughout the Internet. In journalism, when the network is too busy or clogged with several processes especially on instances where the users use the same networks, network traffic delays the progression of the process. For instance, “the war in Iraq changed the situation dramatically. Even though streaming-media providers had made plans to deliver coverage of the war, they were surprised by the surge in traffic. Similarly, connection troubles are also encountered. (1999) stated that “the quality of the Internet access is critical. Broadband access will be the new standard. Slow, unreliable connections that cannot support interactivity or right multimedia content will no longer be sufficient.” As related to network traffic, connection troubles are rooted on the numerous functions that are occurring via the Internet at the same period of time. The question on how it would ever be possible to stream video to most users reliably and with any consistency over the clogged Internet ( 2001) is imposed.
Reporters as well as writers need news sources ( 1994). The issue of credibility is very crucial especially new media journalism. Maintaining objectivity is the greatest challenge of the journalist especially in the process of making news. Today, according to Interviewee Nos. 4 and 5, new media is the fastest way that any people in authority can use in propaganda or personal interest. Hence, the interviewees suggested that the principles and ethics of responsible journalism is the core guide of the journalist in performance of his/her duty.
Competition is also a big challenge in new media news making (all interviewees). The user-friendliness and immediacy or other features that new media technologies has to offer are abused by some journalist in order to compete and be the first to air information especially to the cases of breaking news. In addressing competition, the ethics of the journalist as well as the core objectives of the organization he/she belongs may play an important role.
All in all, challenges are results of the emerging changes in the technology itself and the field of journalism too. This information that will remain true until people will stop in conquering the limits of human knowledge and exploration. But then again, journalist must be intact in the achieving their goals, in performance of their duties, and self-fulfillment towards the good of most number of people.
The educational level of every rational person across modern societies has improved. This is due to the continuous efforts for knowledge acquisition of people. Research and experiment produced new knowledge at accelerating rates, spawning academic disciplines that in turn gave birth to new technologies. The new technologies, in turn, made knowledge and information almost universally available ( 1990, p. 1).
With the responses of the interviewees, opportunities in the new media journalism vary from policy regulation with the involvement of national government and other regulation bodies, extensive area of coverage, and continuous improvement of the media as well as the field of journalism.
The changes brought about by the innovations in communication technology greatly affected the practice of journalism. Policy regulation is a feasible opportunity to the practice of journalism. Aside from the traditional foundations inherent to the mainstream media, new media do not have a formal regulating body that will intervene to the overall function of the system and its related segments (Interviewee Nos. 2, 3 and 5). The practice in the discipline of news writing cannot be separated from the lawful conventions of modern context and environment of the society. The efficient system of communication has redefined the traditional concept of news gathering and story production providing opportunities and advantages to reporters at the same time facilitating drawbacks and disadvantages in the social, political, cultural and economic contextualization of journalism. With the ease and bulk of information from which various news stories could be derived, comes the demand that the public addresses to news providers. Issues and concerns relating to the quality, validity and reliability of the means and ways of message channeling and dissemination of different forms of mass communication media continues to be reflected in the current journalism practices. Providing a redefinition regarding the general concept of news reporting should be made taking into account the changing technological environment that we are in today.
Further, new technologies like the internet is prone to site hacking are also prominent in different areas of the world. Hackers use the medium and other multimedia devices to retrieve confidential files of government offices and as well private offices like banks, other commercial establishments. This could affect the security of the country. It may also cause investors to think twice before investing in a certain country. Another form of misuse of multimedia is to harass the privacy of a person. Some utilize multimedia in tapping a communication gadget of a certain person.
With these things, it could be deemed that the use of new technologies in media particularly in journalism needs strict policies in its implementation that every journalist must adhere to responsible journalism directed to the common good of everyone (Interviewees Nos. 1 and 4). The participation of the national government is an essential consideration in regulating the news to be disseminated to readers. However, it is very imperative that the freedom of expression and freedom of the press are not suppressed with the presence of such regulating policies and bodies.
The extensive area of coverage that new media journalism can reach is another opportunity to the eventual achievement of the aim of journalism – to inform. According to Interviewee Nos. 4 and 5, the very large reach of the Internet and WWW must be used by the journalist in the proliferation of knowledge, building of values, maintaining individual culture, and other natural roles that every journalists play. And lastly, the opportunity for continuous development is coupled with the fact that every action taken by the supporters of new media and journalist who uses the medium must be directed to the eventual progression of the process of news making and also delivery. The presence of online newspapers is a proof that everything develops. As suggested by (2002), “One of the ways newspapers can be successful online is to create niche sites, sites that focus on a particular subject or group of related subjects”. This bright spot in the picture is the possibility that digital technology might fundamentally disrupt the economics that shapes the broadcast media.
D. The Effects of New Media in News
The effects of new media in news is immeasurable (Interviewee Nos. 3 and 4) but it is perceivable, predicted, and seen (Interviewee Nos. 1, 2 and 5). Among the effects perceivable, predicated, and seen effects are: a) improved method of news gathering and writing; b) abundance of potential resources/references; c) more systematic methods made available; d) easier encoding and processing of information; and e) efficient and effective communication means.
Many journalists and investors believe the Internet is an important new mass medium ( 1998). This is evident and supported by the fact that more than 200 million people who are using the Internet service for communication and search purposes. Different industries have engaged the Internet in their operations in order to provide efficient and effective services to the public and this holds true not just among business institutions but also in the public and government domains. With more than 13 million Internet links and websites, traditional media functions have likewise adopted this new medium as 3,909 magazines, 3,256 newspapers, 2,111 radio stations and 1,283 television stations have operations online (‘’ 2000). Thus adding to the synergy and dynamics of virtual activities of multimedia in its ability to combine and animate texts and pictures that characterizes the print and broadcast media resulting to a blurred distinction of these mass communication channels making readers and viewers more active in their responses to the information provided to them ( 2004).
In general, new media affects news by means of: a) increased scope of coverage; b) enhanced functionality; c) innovativeness; d) unlimited availability; and e) immediacy/instantaneous (all interviewees).
The news media play a particularly significant role in responding to, recreating, and constructing historic events for several reasons (2003). According to the said editors, the role of media is: first, there is an expectation that the news media represent the public at such events. The public was starved for information and interpretation. Almost all citizens wanted to know what had occurred, who was able to do such damage, and what additional risks existed. People turned to various media, and when Internet sites shut down because of the congested traffic, users went to other sources. With this expectation comes the enormous responsibility that the media will uncompromisingly fulfill its role as informant and watchdog of society. Second, the news media was important because of their access to the places of destruction. The distribution of technology within society has provided an astonishing number of accounts. Third, news media have positioned themselves to offer nonstop and seemingly comprehensive coverage. The events were recorded and relived as broadcast stations halted all other programming, newspapers expanded in length to provide written accounts, and media organizations immediately began packing additional information on their own web sites.
It has been repeatedly stated that “media can only reinforce change but cannot initiate it” (1994, p.78). The extent by which media reaches the public can be attributed to those who spread its message and how influential they are. There is a lot that can be said about personal influence, the confidence inspired by one person to another and how far the willingness of most would be proven by those they believe in. Thus, media in all its forms serves as the ultimate information bank where the people around the world derive knowledge and facts, learn and enhance imagination, broaden reasoning, and finally, aid their decision-making. At present, the modern media “produce and circulate meaning in the society” ( 2002) within the context of nationality and cultural heritage, religion, regional identities, societal classes, ethnic and minority rituals, family values and self-actualization.
With the role of media, these things has greatly affected how cultures now were shaped, and especially how nations and different people with different backgrounds are able to associate with each other because of the perceived information that they received from these devices used for communication. The environment in which we as interactive beings move together in order to create a semblance of order in our minds. (1980) states that these developed technologies result to the shrinking of the planet due to swift exchange of ideas and information that these people will come to rely more on those devices that they will become extensions of themselves. Although these are independent machineries that will not function without the help of humans, humans nevertheless depend on these devices in order to survive.
To close, a very much applicable quote is presented. “Radio did not destroy newspapers, television did not destroy radio, and neither eliminated the printing of books. Each wave of new technology in our industry forced an improvement in the old.” – , chairman and CEO of News Corp in a speech this week in London called “The New Age of Discovery” (‘’ 2006).
References
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