Does Journalism have a future in new media?

The role journalists has become an increasingly challenging and daunting task, with the emergence of the information protection bill and so forth and yet has been made fairly easier and convenient all at once, through digital technologies and the aid of improved programmes and applications over the years.

Advancements of software’s such as Microsoft have changed the world of journalists a great deal, from the era of using typewriters to having spell-checker or the Thesaurus, to open mediums such as the internet where breaking news stories reach global audiences in a matter of minutes, in the comfort of their home, office and cellphones only by a click of a button.

The escalating demand to improve interactive engagements and interpersonal relations with readers online, through the use of Information and Communications Technology, increases the need for readers to be more than receivers or hearers of the news; but proactive participants who play a role in relaying the news to reach far reaching areas.

The practice of Citizen Journalism is very good in terms of developing the process in which news is dispersed and creates a sense of ownership or entitlement to watching out for their community; however I feel the job of a reporter finds itself dwindle to nothing.

This form of reporting which many may see as the voice of the people, which is participatory, immediate, reliable and more responsive, one cannot entirely rely on “open source” information, as it may not be objective or as accurate or easy to comprehend. The journalist after having dealt with this information however helpful it may be; would still need to verify the information for propaganda, accuracy, facts, and biasness or any hidden agendas.

On an argumentative side one may say that this practice is interactive and enables both reader and writer to dissect the facts of ranging viewpoints even allowing them to draw their own conclusions. However what happens to the role of the journalist in future?

Does the future journalist retain their seat as a news seeker and provider or does he or she assume the seat of a glorified minute keeper or play the gate keeper only?

Many great journalists maintain that journalism has gone to the dogs that journalists of today are copy and paste types who never strive as hard to obtain information, because information technology has made communication and the availability of information so accessible.

Will new media do away with radio stations, newsrooms and other news service providers, where the role of journalists change to that of conversation facilitators or perhaps come to non-existence?

It is not with contempt or fear of the evolution of journalism, though what will happen to journalistic codes and ethics, where journalists and editors control the content and the way the story is presented to the public so it does not create unnecessary panic or sensationalism. Should that day come, one will surely miss the adrenalin rush of chasing a deadline, a story or the thrill of knowing you broke the story, this will all too soon become a thing of the past. 

http://www.timeslive.co.za/scitech/2012/10/02/mobile-devices-reshaping-the-