Discover the Five Ways Technology is Changing the World of Journalism
Summary:
Technology is changing the world as we know it, and the profession of journalism is no exception. Discover the five digital tricks today’s journalists employ, and how you can get started in high school.
Key Points:
- Instantaneous news gathering and reporting
- Multimedia storytelling
- Data journalism and visualization
- Audience engagement and social media
- Virtual reality and immersive journalism
In recent years, weather forecasters, newsrooms, and traffic teams have embraced the use of drones to report on subjects from high up in the sky. In the case of hurricanes and other natural disasters, journalists employ drones to help them report on the status of the disaster and help with search and rescue — among many other uses — to keep the masses abreast of the situation.
Technology is changing every single profession on the planet. For journalists, the changes run the gamut — drones, social media, instantaneous reporting, mobile phone videos — to name a few.
In this article, we will explore the various ways technology has influenced modern journalism, discuss the skills and knowledge needed to adapt to this ever-changing landscape, and highlight relevant communications training for high school students.
How journalists have historically reported the news
In traditional news and storytelling, there have always been key elements that make up a good news story. When there is a large event to cover, news rooms have always fought to be on the scene as it happens. True impact is created when the moment is captured in real time. People crave a complete story — from start to finish.
In the past, to achieve this level of detail it was always hit or miss for a news room. If no camera is there to catch that vital shot of when the story begins, then the visual is lost forever. A lot of these stories rely on eyewitnesses describing what they saw. Then, these stories could only get out as fast as the news crew could send back their footage or how quickly they could set up a live feed.
These issues with telling a breaking story are changing faster than ever now with the evolution of social media and our phones. The aforementioned drones are now used more than ever to get that important shot from above.
But what are the other new formats that seasoned journalists must contend with? There are five.
Five new digital tricks used by today’s journalists
Journalists can tell stories about tomorrow by diving deeper into the impact of news, and by using new formats that allow for more in-depth reporting. Here are five ways that journalists can tell stories into the future, and the skills that will help them get there:
- Instantaneous News Gathering and Reporting: With the emergence of smartphones and social media, journalists can now capture and share news stories just as they unfold — in real time. This has resulted in an increased demand for journalists who can quickly analyze and disseminate information in a fast-paced environment.
Skills such as live reporting, social media management, and data analysis have become essential for journalists in the digital age. - Multimedia Storytelling: The ability to tell compelling stories using different formats is crucial in capturing the attention of today’s digital-savvy audience. Technology allows journalists to engage their audience through various mediums such as infographics, podcasts, videos, and interactive content.
Journalists who possess skills in video editing, audio production, and graphic design have a competitive edge in the industry. - Data Journalism and Visualization: In this era of big data, journalists need to be proficient in visualization and data analysis to uncover meaningful insights and trends. This enables journalists to support their stories with facts and figures.
Skills in data mining, statistical analysis, and data visualization tools like Tableau are highly sought after in journalism today. Journalists who can effectively translate complex data into easily understandable visualizations are invaluable assets to news organizations. - Audience Engagement and Social Media: Social media platforms have become powerful tools for journalists to engage directly with readers, build a personal brand, and cultivate a loyal following.
Understanding content strategy, social media algorithms, and community management are vital skills for journalists who want to establish a strong online presence. - Virtual Reality and Immersive Journalism: Journalists can now recreate historical events or transport their audience to remote locations through virtual experiences. VR technologies also offer unique opportunities for investigative journalism, allowing journalists to present complex information in an interactive and engaging manner.
Embracing these digital technologies is an important skill set for up-and-coming journalists. The drones are another method to create immersive journalism.
With all this technology to consider, the competitive field of journalism is expanding. High school students can get a jump on the competition by participation in a journalism pre-college program.
Online pre-college journalism courses for high school students
Prelum, Powered by Kaplan, is your ticket to learning more about a career in journalism, with a variety of courses to help you narrow down your future career choices and determine whether journalism is a good fit for you. Here’s a snapshot.
Sharpen your skills and test out journalism courses in high school with our partner school, Georgetown University. Their journalism and media college prep course is designed for motivated high school students who seek a future in the world of communications. You’ll learn about careers, such as editor, podcaster, social media specialist, content writer, and more. You’ll practice crafting stories, learn how to interview subject matter experts, and hear from prize-winning journalists, reporters, and editors from renowned media outlets. Best of all, the flexible online format lets you study anywhere, anytime that works for you.
Journalists are considered leaders. But perhaps you aren’t sure what your leadership style is. Another important course for those interested in communications is Georgetown's leadership course. In this course, you’ll identify various leadership styles, explore the circumstances that call for each, practice effective leadership tools, and uncover ways to motivate others using your unique strengths.
Does the thought of immersing yourself in college prep courses like these intrigue you? Start here.
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