The web has transformed and reshaped everything in the virtual world.
Blogging, texting, and tweeting are all immediate personal reports and social
commentary coming from the streets and the homes of ordinary citizens. More
than ever, people are now getting their news first from platforms such as the
web. News reporting from the average citizen is now as easy as record, upload,
and view. The social network revolution has allowed anyone with a blog to be a
reporter, and any individual with a cell phone to be a photographer or
videographer. News editors are now anyone
who has a Facebook, Twitter or Youtube account.
Social media expedites information faster than newsroom editors can write
and release reports in the traditional fashion. Journalists are often competing
with average citizens for breaking news. Anyone in a crowed can capture a video
or photo of a tragic event showing first hand account and upload it for public
consumption. Social media is having both positive and negative impact. Not
everything that circulates is authenticated or completely accurate. The more
sensational or perhaps outrageous the story, the faster it goes viral.
Publicized untruths, for example, rumoured deaths of celebrities and other
exaggerated stories can spread like wildfire and be hurtful or damaging in a
matter of hours.
Newsfeeds, blogs, and groups have evolved and changed the way we network
with each other, using visual technology. New reporters and journalists are now
using these networking sites not only to broadcast their stories but also in
getting their leads and sources.
I think that
sometimes the quality of news is enriched due to a collective commentary and a
variety of opinions and reports. The
media is not always controlling what is published! The decreased quality of news reporting in
this day and age is the question of accuracy of facts and stories. Individuals have to be careful what they perceive
to be real.
