How Digital Tech Changed the Definition of "Journalist"
The term "journalist" has seem some changes in the last couple decades. There once was a time when a journalist was simply someone who investigated and reported the news, either in print, on radio, or on television.
But today, being a journalist can mean...well almost anything. Podcasts, video blogs, social media shows, it's all journalism by nature, if not by name. "A lot of people doing “journalism” or calling themselves “journalists” these days are no longer working in traditional journalism jobs for traditional digital or print newsrooms," (Molla, 2019).
Because journalism had gotten such an expansion, due in large part by recent innovations in digital media and technologies, the route to becoming a journalist has changed as well. “Ten or so years ago, journalism was a job that was stable and predictable, and it was something you could prepare for and there was a known pathway,” said Chris Daly, a professor in the journalism department at Boston University and author of Covering America, a history of US journalism. “The classic route on the print side was work at a small newspaper, move to a bigger newspaper, then move to the biggest,” (Molla, 2019).
BuzzFeed is arguably one the the newest and biggest nontraditional news and digital media site. "BuzzFeed is building the defining news and entertainment company for the social mobile age. From the serious to the fun, from long-form to the short listicles readers have grown to love, we create content that people want to share on the web," (Facebook). Creators at BuzzFeed are expected to "do it all" from reporting, to editing, to creating innovative graphic content. The skills that served the journalist of yesteryear well would fall short in this digital media age, therefore, journalists need to be well versed in digital media tools and technologies. This may mean seeking further education, or just learning on the job, either way, journalism is changing and the only way not to get left behind is to make sure you find a way to keep up.
Here, Charles Leadbeater details how technology has influenced innovation, creating a place were innovation is for all.
But today, being a journalist can mean...well almost anything. Podcasts, video blogs, social media shows, it's all journalism by nature, if not by name. "A lot of people doing “journalism” or calling themselves “journalists” these days are no longer working in traditional journalism jobs for traditional digital or print newsrooms," (Molla, 2019).
Because journalism had gotten such an expansion, due in large part by recent innovations in digital media and technologies, the route to becoming a journalist has changed as well. “Ten or so years ago, journalism was a job that was stable and predictable, and it was something you could prepare for and there was a known pathway,” said Chris Daly, a professor in the journalism department at Boston University and author of Covering America, a history of US journalism. “The classic route on the print side was work at a small newspaper, move to a bigger newspaper, then move to the biggest,” (Molla, 2019).
BuzzFeed is arguably one the the newest and biggest nontraditional news and digital media site. "BuzzFeed is building the defining news and entertainment company for the social mobile age. From the serious to the fun, from long-form to the short listicles readers have grown to love, we create content that people want to share on the web," (Facebook). Creators at BuzzFeed are expected to "do it all" from reporting, to editing, to creating innovative graphic content. The skills that served the journalist of yesteryear well would fall short in this digital media age, therefore, journalists need to be well versed in digital media tools and technologies. This may mean seeking further education, or just learning on the job, either way, journalism is changing and the only way not to get left behind is to make sure you find a way to keep up.
Reference
Molla, Rani. “Chart: How the Definition of ‘Journalist’ Is Changing.” Recode, Recode, 25 Feb. 2019, www.recode.net/2019/2/25/18224696/chart-transition-journalism-public-relations-content-social-media-jobs.
Here, Charles Leadbeater details how technology has influenced innovation, creating a place were innovation is for all.
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