Roles of the News Media

Over the past 20 years the delivery of news to the general public has gone from local and national to the global scale at the tips of our fingers.  From traditional mediums, such as print and broadcast news, to new mediums, such as websites, smart phones or social media.  The news has evolved to a medium that embraced interactive, easily accessible outlet reaching and welcoming readers across the globe. Yet with all the innovations seen through technological advancements there are still disadvantages and advantages compared to traditional methods. 

            With the new forms of media, such as websites, blogs, social media and smart phones, readers are able to access more information that is updated quickly to their sites and smart phones.  Readers are able to experience interactive and diverse blogs from journalists across the world.  “People with access to the Internet could gain instant access to virtually unlimited information” at the click of a button (Kershner, 2012, p. 12).  Another advantage is the cost of the receiving the information.  While some major print news organizations may request a subscription, readers are still able to locate inexpensive or free news sites.  With all the advantages at the click of a button, there are still some disadvantages compared to their counterparts.  Anyone is able to recreate a blog or site and post information they deem suitable as news worthy.  If sites are not credible, they can be prone to inaccuracies, bias and opinionated information rather than providing properly investigated sources and information.

            While technology is a continued force to providing news outlets with new readers and keeping them connected with their hometowns, traditional news still remains in this technological world.  Traditional news continues to offers readers with accurate and comprehensive information through properly researched materials that appeals to the general public.  Even broadcast news outlets can provide viewers with strong audio and visual appeals with current, national and local newscast that is understandable to their viewers.  According to Kershner (2012), “ no change in technology has replaced the need for an intelligent, sensitive, knowledgeable person to ask questions; to gather information; to synthesize, analyze, and organize it, and then to present the news in a clear way” (p. 12).  Even with traditional news there are some drawbacks.  Print news is limited to text and pictures and delivery information is limited to their schedules and space.  Breaking news may not appear until the following day depending on when the information was received.  Broadcast news can appear to be bias filled with commercials and can be highly persuasive depending on the information provided by the broadcast system, advertisements and sponsors. 

            From print to online, I gather my news through all mediums available, since each one will provide a different perception on the same story.  The ability to enjoy the vast information provided to the public and how it appeals to them is another reason why I gather my news through different outlets.  Lately, I have been getting a lot of news information through my smartphone and purchasing the local paper.

Reference

Kershner, J. (2012). The elements of news writing (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.