Monday, October 30, 2017

NDM News: Citizen journalism and hyper-reality

Citizen journalism is a vital aspect of our case study on the impact of new and digital media on news.

It provides a more positive reading of how new technology can change the way news is created and consumed and also gives us the chance to consider Baudrillard's theory of hyper-reality.

Media Magazine ran a reality special edition a few years ago that explored these issues in some depth. Your blog task is to read two (or more!) articles from MM30 and complete the tasks below.



Blog tasks

Citizen journalism and UGC (user-generated content)

1) Read the article from Media Magazine: The Rise and Rise of UGC (Dec 2009). Use our Media Magazine archive, click on MM30 and go to page 55.

2) Create a blogpost where you make notes from the article under the following headings: 
  • examples
  • theory (audience reception etc.) 
  • benefits to institutions 
  • benefits to audience 
  • wider issues and debates 
  • SHEP
3) What is meant by the term ‘citizen journalist’?

4) What was one of the first examples of news being generated by ‘ordinary people’?

5) List some of the formats for participation that are now offered by news organisations.

6) What is one of the main differences between professionally shot footage and that taken first-hand (UGC)?

7) What is a gatekeeper?

8) How has the role of a gatekeeper changed?

9) What is one of the primary concerns held by journalists over the rise of UGC?

10) Offer your own opinion (critical autonomy) on the following:

What impact is new/digital media having on:
  • news stories
  • the news agenda (the choice of stories that make up the news)
  • the role of professionals in news

Hyper-reality and the digital renaissance

1) Read the article from Media Magazine: Hyper-reality and the digital renaissance (Dec 2009). Use our Media Magazine archive, click on MM30 and go to page 59.

2) Create a new blogpost called 'Hyper-reality and the digital renaissance' and make notes from the article under the following headings: 
  • examples
  • theories 
  • positive aspects of new technology (or 'digital renaissance' 
  • negative aspects of new technology on audiences and society  
  • wider issues and debates 
3) The article was written in 2009. Offer three examples of more recent social networking sites or uses of technology that support the idea of a 'digital renaissance'.

4) How do live streaming services such as Periscope or Facebook Live fit into the idea of a 'digital renaissance'? Are these a force for good or simply a further blurring of reality?

5) How can we link the 'digital renaissance' to our case study on news? Is citizen journalism a further example of hyper-reality or is it actually making news more accurate and closer to real life?

Finish this for homework - due date confirmed by your exam teacher.

Remember, this is in addition to the regular NDM stories on your blog - two due every week without fail.

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