15.4 Emerging Trends and Potential Future Directions in Journalism
3 min read•july 23, 2024
Emerging technologies are revolutionizing journalism. Virtual and create immersive experiences, while blockchain enhances trust. Community-driven reporting empowers citizens, and new business models like subscriptions and memberships are reshaping the industry's financial landscape.
The future of journalism is tech-driven and audience-focused. AI and are changing how news is gathered and presented. Mobile-first strategies and personalized content cater to shifting consumption habits, while solutions-oriented reporting aims to inspire positive change.
Emerging Technologies and Trends in Journalism
Immersive journalism and reality technologies
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Chapter 1: What is 360 Video? – 360 Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide to Immersive Video Storytelling View original
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Locale, an Environment-Aware Storytelling Framework Relying on Augmented Reality View original
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360° video is the future of journalism. Don’t get left behind View original
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Chapter 1: What is 360 Video? – 360 Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide to Immersive Video Storytelling View original
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Locale, an Environment-Aware Storytelling Framework Relying on Augmented Reality View original
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Top images from around the web for Immersive journalism and reality technologies
Chapter 1: What is 360 Video? – 360 Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide to Immersive Video Storytelling View original
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Locale, an Environment-Aware Storytelling Framework Relying on Augmented Reality View original
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360° video is the future of journalism. Don’t get left behind View original
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Chapter 1: What is 360 Video? – 360 Essentials: A Beginner’s Guide to Immersive Video Storytelling View original
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Locale, an Environment-Aware Storytelling Framework Relying on Augmented Reality View original
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- Immersive journalism provides a more engaging and interactive experience for audiences by allowing users to feel more connected to the story and its subjects
- (VR) in journalism creates a fully immersive, 360-degree environment that enables users to explore and interact with the story setting (The Guardian's "6x9" project, The New York Times' "The Displaced")
- Augmented reality (AR) in journalism overlays digital information on the real world, enhancing storytelling by providing additional context and information (The Wall Street Journal's "WSJ AR" app, TIME Magazine's "Landing on the Moon" AR experience)
Blockchain's impact on media trust
- is a decentralized, distributed ledger system that ensures transparency, security, and immutability of data
- Applications in journalism include verifying the authenticity and provenance of news content, protecting intellectual property rights of journalists and content creators, and enabling secure, direct transactions between content creators and consumers
- Enhancing media trust by providing a tamper-proof record of news content and its origins, allowing for greater transparency in the news production and distribution process, and helping combat the spread of misinformation and fake news
Community-driven and citizen journalism
- empowers local communities to report on issues that matter to them, fills gaps in coverage left by declining local news outlets, and fosters a sense of engagement and ownership among community members
- Citizen reporters are non-professional journalists who contribute to the news gathering and dissemination process by providing eyewitness accounts, photos, and videos of events as they unfold (Coverage of the Arab Spring, Black Lives Matter protests)
- Challenges and considerations include ensuring the accuracy and reliability of citizen-generated content, providing training and support for citizen reporters, and integrating into professional news workflows
New business models for digital journalism
- where readers pay a recurring fee for access to content (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Athletic)
- emphasize community engagement and reader loyalty by providing exclusive benefits and perks to "members" (The Guardian, De Correspondent, Tortoise Media)
- Nonprofit and philanthropic funding relies on grants, donations, and endowments to support journalism, allowing for greater editorial independence and focus on public-interest reporting (ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, The Marshall Project)
- combine multiple sources of income, such as events, sponsorships, and e-commerce, reducing reliance on traditional advertising revenue (Vox Media, Axios, The Information)
The Future of Journalism
Continued evolution of technology and its impact on journalism
- and automate routine tasks (transcription and data analysis), personalize news content and recommendations, and assist in fact-checking and verification processes
- 5G networks and faster data transmission enable higher-quality, more immersive multimedia journalism and facilitate real-time, on-the-ground reporting and live streaming
- Wearable technology and the Internet of Things (IoT) provide new ways to gather and present news content, enabling more contextualized, location-based storytelling (Google Glass, smartwatches, sensor-embedded clothing)
Shifting audience preferences and consumption habits
- prioritizes content optimization for mobile devices and utilizes mobile-specific features (push notifications, vertical video) (Quartz, BuzzFeed News, NowThis)
- and curation tailor news content to individual user preferences and interests using algorithms and user data to create customized news feeds (Apple News, Flipboard, Google News)
- Interactive and encourages audience engagement through comments, polls, and , fostering a sense of community and dialogue around news stories (The Coral Project, Hearken, GroundSource)
Emphasis on solutions-oriented and constructive journalism
- focuses on reporting not just problems, but also potential solutions, aiming to empower readers and inspire positive change (Solutions Journalism Network, The Seattle Times' "Education Lab")
- takes a more positive, forward-looking approach to news coverage, emphasizing stories of resilience, innovation, and progress (Positive News, Upworthy, The Christian Science Monitor)
- prioritizes in-depth, long-form reporting over fast-paced, breaking news, allowing for more nuanced, contextual storytelling (Delayed Gratification, Zetland, The Correspondent)
Key Terms to Review (20)
5G networks: 5G networks are the fifth generation of wireless technology that promise faster speeds, lower latency, and greater connectivity compared to previous generations. This advanced network technology enables a significant leap in mobile communication capabilities, facilitating enhanced data transfer, real-time interactions, and the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. As 5G networks become more widespread, they are set to revolutionize various sectors, including journalism, by enabling quicker news delivery and more immersive experiences for audiences.
Artificial intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. This technology can analyze large amounts of data, recognize patterns, and make decisions, which has profound implications for various fields, including journalism. AI's capabilities can transform how news is produced, delivered, and consumed, driving the need for journalism education to adapt and prepare future professionals for an evolving landscape.
Augmented reality: Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience where digital information, such as images, sounds, and text, is overlaid onto the real world, enhancing the user's perception of their environment. This technology has great potential in various fields, including journalism, where it can create immersive storytelling experiences that engage audiences in new ways and provide deeper context to news stories.
Blockchain technology: Blockchain technology is a decentralized digital ledger system that securely records transactions across multiple computers so that the recorded transactions cannot be altered retroactively. This technology promotes transparency and accountability by allowing users to trace the history of data and transactions without needing a central authority. Its unique characteristics make it relevant in various fields, including journalism, where it can enhance trust in reporting and data integrity in different political systems.
Citizen Journalism: Citizen journalism refers to the practice where ordinary individuals, not trained journalists, gather, report, and analyze news events through various media platforms, particularly digital ones. This form of journalism has emerged as a powerful force in the media landscape, democratizing information dissemination and challenging traditional news structures.
Community-driven journalism: Community-driven journalism is a form of reporting that prioritizes the voices, concerns, and needs of local communities. It emphasizes collaboration between journalists and community members to create content that is relevant and reflective of the community's experiences, often leveraging local knowledge and insights. This approach fosters a sense of ownership among community members over the stories told about them, bridging gaps between media outlets and the public they serve.
Constructive journalism: Constructive journalism is an approach to news reporting that focuses on solutions and positive narratives rather than just problems and negative events. It emphasizes the role of journalism in fostering informed debate and societal progress, shifting the traditional focus from merely reporting on issues to also highlighting potential solutions and constructive actions taken by individuals and communities.
Diversified revenue streams: Diversified revenue streams refer to the practice of generating income from multiple sources rather than relying on a single source. This approach is essential for sustainability and growth, especially in journalism, as it helps organizations withstand economic fluctuations and changes in audience preferences by tapping into various markets and funding opportunities.
Interactive journalism: Interactive journalism refers to a type of journalism that involves the audience in the storytelling process, allowing for real-time feedback, participation, and engagement. This approach often utilizes digital tools and platforms to create an immersive experience where users can interact with the content, share their opinions, and even contribute to the news stories. It embodies the shift in media from a one-way communication model to a more collaborative and participatory form of reporting.
Machine learning: Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that enables computer systems to learn from data, identify patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention. In the context of journalism, it can be used to analyze vast amounts of information quickly, tailor content to specific audiences, and even automate reporting processes, shaping the future of news production and dissemination.
Membership models: Membership models refer to subscription-based frameworks in which consumers pay to access content, services, or communities provided by media organizations or platforms. This model enables organizations to build a direct relationship with their audience, fostering loyalty and generating a steady revenue stream while encouraging engagement through exclusive content or member benefits.
Mobile-first journalism: Mobile-first journalism is an approach where news content is designed and created primarily for mobile devices, prioritizing the user experience on smartphones and tablets. This shift recognizes that an increasing number of people consume news through their mobile devices, leading to changes in storytelling techniques, content format, and audience engagement strategies.
Nonprofit funding: Nonprofit funding refers to the financial resources acquired by nonprofit organizations to support their operations, programs, and initiatives. This type of funding is crucial for nonprofits as it allows them to achieve their missions without the pressure of generating profit, relying instead on donations, grants, and other revenue sources that align with their objectives.
Participatory journalism: Participatory journalism refers to a form of journalism that encourages the active involvement of the public in the news production process. This approach empowers ordinary citizens to share their stories, insights, and experiences, often using digital tools and platforms. The result is a more inclusive and diverse media landscape, where multiple voices contribute to the narrative, and traditional barriers between journalists and the audience are diminished.
Personalization: Personalization refers to the tailored approach in journalism where content is customized to meet the specific interests, preferences, and needs of individual users. This trend is increasingly significant in the digital age, as media organizations leverage data analytics and algorithms to create more engaging and relevant news experiences for their audiences, enhancing user engagement and satisfaction.
Slow journalism: Slow journalism is a movement in journalism that emphasizes thorough research, thoughtful analysis, and a focus on the long-term implications of news stories rather than the fast-paced, reactive nature of traditional news reporting. This approach is rooted in the idea that quality and depth of information are more valuable than speed, allowing journalists to provide a more nuanced perspective on complex issues.
Solutions journalism: Solutions journalism is a reporting approach that focuses on in-depth coverage of responses to social issues, highlighting effective solutions and their potential impact. This form of journalism not only addresses problems but also explores how individuals and communities are successfully addressing them, providing a more balanced and hopeful perspective in the media landscape.
Subscription-based models: Subscription-based models refer to a business strategy where customers pay a recurring fee, typically on a monthly or annual basis, to gain access to a product or service. In journalism, this model is increasingly used as a way for news organizations to generate revenue directly from their audience, fostering a more sustainable financial structure while providing exclusive content and enhanced user experiences.
User-generated content: User-generated content refers to any form of content, such as text, videos, images, or reviews, created and published by individuals rather than professional journalists or organizations. This phenomenon has transformed the media landscape, empowering ordinary people to contribute their perspectives and experiences, thereby enhancing the diversity of information available.
Virtual reality: Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that can mimic or completely differ from the real world, often created through advanced technology such as headsets, software, and 3D environments. This immersive experience allows users to interact with digital environments in a way that feels real, providing unique opportunities for storytelling, education, and training within journalism. As technology evolves, VR is increasingly being integrated into journalism education and practices, shaping how news is reported and consumed.