JOURNALISM IN A RAPIDLY-CHANGING WORLD
The article I will never forget. But I can’t say why now.
News can never be abandoned, only the medium of accessing it can transmogrify. As the medium of access is modified, the job description of journalists is forced to tow the same pattern. What was needed to successfully thrive as a journalist in the 1980s or 1990s is different from what is obtainable today. Decades ago, good writing skills will make a good journalist. But today, new roles have emerged in the industry requiring a different set of skills. For example, most journalists are required to possess videography and photography skills, search engine optimization (SEO), social media skills and others.
In a recent development, we are a witness to the rapid transformation in the way news is published, the kind of news published and the medium of publishing the news. These three elements have long dictated the trajectory of the journalism industry across dispensations and human civilisation. We have seen new brands of journalism like investigative, environmental, data and development journalism emerge. One cogent lesson we can learn from the rapidly-changing journalism industry is that: modifications in the journalism space are catalysed by the needs.
In simple terms, new brands of journalism emerge as the need arises with respect to geography. The various environmental challenges facing the world have led to robust growth in environmental journalism. The need to uncover truths beyond the headlines engendered investigative journalism. The need to make predictions and informed decisions woke data journalism. Needs drove and effectuated the assorted brands of journalism we see today and it will continue to do so. It is felicitous that societal needs spur the direction of journalism. Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph paved way for political and modern journalism because of the need they saw then.
It will be undeserved to talk about the rapid change in journalism without mentioning the mass transition from print media to online media. Prior to now, only print and broadcast media were in vogue. Today, new media has emerged and has undoubtedly been established. The emergence of digital technology has shaped the way news is published and how readers access them. News is now available in the electronic medium. Not just that, most newspapers have gone fully digital or have chosen to operate both simultaneously. While it took an extensive amount of time and effort for print media to adapt to new media, it doesn’t change its solidification.
Print media will never be totally obsolete. However, the future of journalism is here. It is digital. The internet will dictate the trends in today’s rapidly-changing journalism. In 2014, the Telegraph reported that people are daily exposed to information equivalent to over 174 newspapers. This isn’t far from the truth when we compare it to the highly customized interactions we see on social media. But no matter the rapid change in journalism, the main tenets will never (should never) be compromised. No matter how long time drives on, the ethics of journalism will (should) abide forever.
I tweet @olamidefrancis
