The Changing Face of Journalism

‘Journalism’ has always been a fairly ambiguous term. Every individual, whether that be a citizen, academic or professional journalist has a different way of defining it. But, as a general consensus, the concept usually means the gathering, assessing and distribution of information that is considered newsworthy to that person. Many of us have done and still do perceive journalists as just those who are in the professional industry, those who report on the television or radio, or those who write for a newspaper or magazine. To the many of us who perceive journalism this way, the reported or written news is often shocking and reaches out on a wider level.

By Inverted_pyramid.jpg: The Air Force Departmental Publishing Office. From: Wikimedia Commons

Original image: Newspaper reading 

Newspapers have been the primary means of presenting news since the 18^th century, with magazines making their appearance shortly after. Radio and television joined these mediums of news circulation in the 20^th century and the 21^st century has seen the growth of the epic internet as a way of collecting and dispersing information. At this point we recognise the changing face of journalism!

A wonderful interactive invention that not only allows millions of websites to be browsed every day, but also makes way for the new found definition of journalism, ‘citizen journalism.’ With the ability to roam freely, read information and publish ‘newsy’ material, everyone to some extent becomes a journalist. Even more so after the establishment of our dear old friend ‘social media’ that allows users to produce and share their own content, as well as participate in social networking. Social media helps us all become journalists, whether this is a conscious action or not. In return the skills we develop from using social media to communicate information can lead us on to the correct career path, allow us to build an online CV and make employability connections, granting us the opportunity to learn as well as share.

Many companies will assess a potential candidate’s social media accounts to gain more of an insight into their personality and work ethic, therefore it is very important to publish information that you would want to be read by a future employer. Much like a journalist, you have to be diligent in what you post. Companies will also use Facebook and Twitter in particular to share material relating to their company as well as conversing with their consumers and other companies.

Screenshot: Broadgate Mainland's Facebook page

Screenshot: LinkedIn 

Screenshot: Twitter

It is not – let’s say - that traditional journalism has lost its importance or authoritative standpoint, reporting on news that affects a wider scale audience, whether it be broadcast on television or written in a newspaper is still regarded to most as one the most effective ways in receiving news. However, journalism has in fact grown to become a far-reaching, ever changing term that categorises all under the journalism title and that comes with great thanks to social media!