Opportunities And Challenges Of Media Convergence (Essay)

The term “media convergence” has become a critical element in the journalism industry, often used to describe the synergies between technology, media and information that is seen to be changing and progressing societies worldwide. Specifically in regards to its relation with journalism, convergence is the connection of the internet and wireless devices that add to the online distribution of news and worldly information. The drastic increase in technology is affecting the public demand to access quality news at any time, through all media that is convenient and in quick access. Particularly in response from the younger generation, they have a stronger urge in wanting to create, respond and interact with online media. This desire ultimately leads to emerging “citizen journalists,” an important and very positive aspect in result of media convergence. Full-time journalists are beginning to accept this power shift and taking advantage of this opportunity, connecting the bridge between audience and journalist. However, with these positives to convergence come negatives, specifically the opportunity in broadcasting non-newsworthy content. So the question remains; does media convergence bring opportunities and or challenges to the journalism industry and society as a whole?

With convergence, the basics of newswriting does not change, but rather it is being presented to its audience on more platforms with the willingness to comply with new technologies. Newsrooms are beginning to adapt to convergence, meaning the acceptance of rising social media and technological advancements. Newspaper companies such as The New York Times and The Washington Post are altering their news distribution to cater to these advancements, such as promoting their online websites and apps that heavily include their news stories and articles. However, this does ignite the debate on the topic of decrease in newspaper subscriptions. Although “newspaper subscriptions are falling at a rate of about 5% a year” (Michael Barthel), subscriptions have gone up substantially since President Donald Trump took office, according to The NY Times. News rooms will continue to use social media now more than ever as a tool to reach a broader audience, only further promoting their news. With this appeal to the younger generation, this adaption to increase in technology and online social media is essential. Although live broadcasts are still preferred as major events, it's becoming more likely to see these events appear on websites. Traditional media such as broadcast and print, now has to compete with blogs and social networking sites. However, this will ultimately give the audience more options within news media, such as responding to tweets, quoting them, sharing stories on Facebook, etc. Eventually, this cross-over between audience and journalists in the professional world leads to the opportunity in “citizen journalism,” a concept that is only increasing in engagement as the years progress.

The concept of “citizen journalism” is when non-journalists do essentially what actual journalists do; report information. That information takes many form, specifically online and “the emergence of the internet, either promoted through blogs, podcasts, streaming video and or other Web-related innovations” (Toney Rogers). These innovations have made citizen journalism possible, as the internet give average people the ability to transmit their own information globally to a community and network. Recently, newsrooms both online and in print broadcast are beginning to reach out to citizen journalists more frequently, incorporating their self produced video or pictures on specific events and news stories. This type of footage usually finds its way onto mainstream media, causing citizens to “serve as an extension of the media outlets traditional reporting staff” (Brian Brooks). An article found on USA Today titled “Shoot Video for the Local News, Get Paid” is simply what it states; professional journalists are paying non-reporters to engage in citizen journalism. USA Today is encouraging regular citizens to send in their own recorded images, video and or information that can be used for their news stories, with compensation. This further shows just how much news corporations are encouraging and engaging in citizen journalism, promoting its purpose. This greater audience engagement can increase and help enhance the way people experience the media, while incorporating an everyday-individual’s own news gathering.

Although citizen journalism is both a positive and an encouraged concept to convergence within journalism, convergence can also possess some negatives. It has been previously claimed that convergence promotes much cooperation between journalists, and gives citizens the sense that media is a part of the community. However, it can be debated “that convergence does not improve the news, but rather homogenizes it, giving no diversity of coverage” (Guldana Zhuma). If media ownership is allowed, diversity in the media will lack a decent amount, and the opinions and voices that are being broadcasted are very selective. Another issue that rises is the loss of local media, since they won’t be able to cover as much and compete with bigger media. Local news and information can essentially be lost, “since it will not be important enough to those select voices” (Guldana Zhuma). Although many positives may exist within the concept of convergence, it is important to highlight the negatives that could arise due to this increase in media convergence.

Media convergence has overall become a vital element of life for many people. With this continuous increase in development of technology in different platforms such as television, internet and mobile communication, audiences have a bigger choice of media and sources to accesses fast information. Convergence is connecting the gap between audience and journalists, creating a community that is not only quicker, but more efficient in spreading and promoting worldly news. With the progression of technology in the 21st century, it is likely that every newsroom will be geared towards the adaption to convergence. Content for a newsworthy stories will be re-established for a variety of media, expanding its platforms of promotion. Convergence is only furthering the distribution of news to numerous platforms, while increasing its engagement, attention and interest from audiences.

Works Cited

Barthel, Michael. "Newspapers: Fact Sheet". Pew Research Center's Journalism Project. Web. 2 May 2017.

Rogers, Tony. "What Exactly Is Citizen Journalism?". ThoughtCo. Web. 2 May 2017.

Zhuma, Guldana. "Pros And Cons Of Media Convergence". Revolution.allbest.ru. Web. 2 May 2017.