Newsgathering Versus Social Media
Is a newspaper the same as a news magazine? Many people use both interchangeably, but they are very different from one another. This post needs more citations for accuracy.
It is important to understand that there is a fundamental difference between news organizations and media outlets. For example, many people compare the amount of airtime given to certain programs on CNN and Fox News to how much coverage is given to stories on local newscasts. The truth is that these news organizations receive thousands of requests for interviews each week. In contrast, only a handful of requests are filed by online journalists and bloggers to speak with members of the news organization.
Another common example is in regard to online journalism. Most news organizations that specialize in online reporting do not receive requests for live updates or reports from live events. These include blog posts, press releases, tweets, posts on Facebook, MySpace and other forms of social media. Therefore, they have no news value other than entertaining readers.
On the other hand, online journalists and bloggers write about the news as it occurs. They have extensive experience in dealing with various industries and they are in tune with what the public needs to know. Most news agencies have reporters that specialize in a specific industry. They are rarely freelancers. In contrast, most news media outlets provide regular jobs to freelance journalists and they often report news from a political perspective.
When comparing newspapers and magazines, consider the variety of subjects they cover. Newspapers often cover local news and entertainment. Magazines offer a variety of topics, and they often cover business, travel and culture. While newspapers tend to have a national focus and are read by millions of readers, magazines offer an international readership. This is one reason why local news and entertainment are best covered in local newspapers while television news is enjoyed at home.
The differences between the two mediums are quickly becoming blurred. Both have their share of dedicated news reporters that are often in the field day in and day out. However, there is a clear distinction between news and entertainment and opinion. In the past, television news stories and programs were criticized for being too opinionated and too commercialized. Today, both are distinctly different.
Fake news has become a popular problem in today’s society. Many news media outlets have produced fake news stories in order to increase traffic and build reputation. This is often an unfortunate byproduct of a hyper-media driven culture that feeds the media’s tendency to publish “breaking” news stories as soon as they happen. The result is a situation where journalists and news organizations must take steps to prevent fabricated stories from harming their reputation and readership.
It is important for both newspapers and television networks to remember their own news values. Both are reporting news stories and telling the public what is happening in the world around them. In both cases, the goal is to provide accurate and clear information to the public. This type of social media coverage requires reporters and news anchors to be skilled not only in writing but also in speaking their mind. While social media users enjoy engaging in conversation and commenting on a story, good journalism requires the reporter and anchor to present information objectively while having fun doing so. Both are essential parts of the profession, and both are vital to building solid news coverage.
