Convergence 2010
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Transcript of Convergence 2010
News Without the Ink: Typifying New Online Journalism Models
By Jennifer Brannock Cox
The Problem
• Journalism once easy to identify
• Online news sites prompt changing definitions
• Need to figure out what is journalism, who is a journalist
The Purpose
• Define “journalism” & “journalists” from existing literature
• Examine innovations in collaboration and content focus
• Propose a typology categorizing individual news websites
• A normative stance regarding innovation versus tradition
Who is a Journalist?
• Journalism produced by journalists
• Journalists as professionals– Adhering to codes of ethics– Journalism norms– Training and skills
• Those who provide “news”– Information that is in the “public interest”– Information that helps citizens be “free and self-
governing”
Innovation Versus Tradition
• New technologies have always shaped journalism practices
• Innovation – the process of adoption and diffusion
• Newspapers slow to innovate – shovelware
Innovation Versus Tradition
• Online start-ups have embraced what traditional newspapers have not– Interactivity with the audience– Audience participation in newsmaking– Breaking down the gatekeeping function– Specialized content
Contributors
• Audience members contribute stories, photos, videos
• Reporters open the process, asking readers to help guide the story
• A conversation emerges, guiding the news
Barriers to Contribution Innovation
• Reporters’ professional norms– Objectivity– Independence/Autonomy
• Professional status
• Newsroom socialization
Niche Content
• Identifying and targeting specific audiences
• “Market-driven journalism”
• Speaking to a community and fostering its growth
Barriers to Niche Innovation
• Profitability desires
• Journalism roles – Passive observer versus active participant
• Gatekeeping – failure to listen to or know the audience
Typology
Typology
Normative Conclusions
• News sites should embrace innovations in contribution and niche content in order to thrive
• News producers should involve audience members in news making
• News producers should seek to serve the audience to fulfill their public service charge
Consequences of Failure to Innovate
• Traditional newspapers will lose:– Readers– Advertisers– Profit
• Online news sites without “professional” commitments will guide public opinion
• Dangers of “pandering”
Future Research
• Categorizations will help guide researchers seeking to distinguish “innovators” from “laggards”
• Normative prescriptions need empirical testing