WEEK 9: How have new technologies changed the news production process and how do these changes impact on society?
According to Barr, the once distinct boundaries between telecommunications, media and computing, have blurred and intermingled into what is termed as convergence (Barr, 2000) And this convergence process is a definite influence in the expansion and growth of new media (Barr, 2000).
Since digitalisation, information can be transmitted online via voice, data, video, graphics and music and these modes of communication are being handled at an increasing and rapid rate (Barr, 2000).
These modes encourage interactivity on the part of the reader. Links in stories, allows the user to further research the subject at hand, and if so inclined (Nielsen, 1997). Commentary boxes invite the viewer to analyse or express their opinion (Higgins, 2008) . Immediacy requires regular updates and user search terms dictate the content (Higgins, 2008).
News can be accessed via mobiles, laptops and online. The variety and means in this technologically savvy world, means that the user demands, expects and also generates content.
References
Barr, Trevor 2000, The Changing Face of Australia’s media and Communications, “Forces for change: Communications as catalyst, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards.
Higgins, David, Scooped by the net, The Walkley Magazine, Viewed March 2011 http://www.gnews.net.au/Walkley1.pdf
Nielsen, Jakob 1997, How Users Read on the Web (Alertbox)
Viewed March 2011
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