Studying a digital journalism course can be a key way of staying on top of news, writing and reporting in the internet age.
It was during the nineties that many traditional broadsheet newspapers such as the New York Times and Guardian embraced digital and launched their online identities. Then, by the mid-2000s, dedicated online blogs such as Huffington Post and TechCrunch also appeared, heralding in a new wave of journalism.
Many of the core skills of newspaper reporting – sourcing stories, fact-checking, interviewing and writing concisely – remain intact. But the speed at which news is created and consumed is now far faster than it ever was, with a huge hunger among all of us for increasing amounts of engaging online content.
Plenty of the skills learned through a digital journalism course will be found in SAE’s Content Creation and Online Marketing degree and ensure students can navigate the challenges and opportunities created by online.
If you’d like to learn more about our course, then contact our team – and read our blog for more on how journalism has changed in the digital age.
What is digital journalism?
Digital journalism, also known as online journalism, is the practice of sharing news and information via the internet.
Traditionally, mainstream media existed in the form of newspapers and TV programmes. Now, the range of platforms where news is published has significantly expanded. It can include other forms of content alongside text such as audio, video, social media and interactive content.
According to the Pew Research Centre, there were an estimated 105 online news outlets operating in 2022, a mixture of native media providers combined with older, legacy media who have gone online in a bid to keep up with consumer behaviours.
How can studying digital journalism support reporting in the internet era
SAE’s Content Creation and Online Marketing degree can support aspiring journalists in honing their writing and communication skills, abilities that journalists have always required.
However, it also ensures they have a knowledge of how to tell stories, create podcasts, take eye-catching photos, conduct audio interviews, edit videos and more – all essential aspects of the multimedia content creator toolkit.
How has digital redefined the media landscape
Today’s media landscape looks very different to how it was at the start of the 20th century. A digital journalism course needs to acknowledge some of the seismic shifts the industry has been through below:
Speed and accessibility
The rate at which news is now created and digested is increasingly rapid. The ability for journalists to use mobile devices and the ubiquity of internet connections have made content of all kinds easily accessible all around the world too, leading to globally connected audiences.
User-generated reporting and content
Today, anyone with internet access and a mobile device can upload content and join in and lead online conversations. While this breaking down of the gatekeeping of traditional media is heralded as democratising the landscape, it’s also created challenges surrounding misinformation and fact-checking news.
The rise of the influencer
The creator economy has seen the rise of the online influencer, social media personalities who have grown large numbers of followers. They use their digital profile to recommend products and often highlight news stories through platforms that operate outside of mainstream media.
Interactive features beyond written content
As journalists can now write and publish content faster than ever, audience engagement is also equally heightened. Readers can now comment directly on articles and social media posts, providing instantaneous feedback on news. Elsewhere, other features such as polls and live video streams offer different ways for readers to engage with stories.
Multimedia content and social media platforms
As we’ve already seen, today’s digital journalists can use an array of formats to tell their stories including podcasts, infographics, visual messaging and more. Social media profiles work in tandem with this kind of content as a way of disseminating news and engaging with audiences in real-time.
Challenges of Digital Journalism
Although those studying digital journalism can look forward to plentiful opportunities as writers and content creators for new online publications, there are also serious issues to be faced too.
Misinformation and “Fake News”
The ease of publishing online can lead to the spread of inaccurate information, requiring journalists (and readers) to verify sources of news carefully.
Concern about what is real and what is fake on the internet when it comes to online news has risen by three percent in the last year with around six in ten (59 percent) saying they are worried.
The Battle for Attention
The competition for audience attention in the digital age is increasingly frenzied – and helps explain why the visual storytelling of Instagram stories and short form videos has grown in popularity. However, this can also have a negative impact on the quality of reporting with overly-sensationalist headlines and poorly researched content.
Plagiarism and AI
The online world has made it far easier for writers to be plagiarised by others due to the accessibility of news, stories and information. There are also concerns about the replacement of journalists by new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
Algorithm Bias
A knowledge of how social media algorithms work is a core component of reporting in the internet era. Social media algorithms can filter content, potentially limiting the reach of certain viewpoints and perspectives depending on the platform.
Digital Journalism Skills and Best Practice
Live Blogging: this is a way for today’s journalists to report on news events in real-time, from updates on events such as the BRIT Awards to breaking news stories and elections.
Data Journalism: Using data analysis is a way for journalists and reports to uncover trends and patterns in news stories.
Photographic/image led storytelling: Although strong writing skills are still important, visuals often gain more traction on social media. Therefore an ability to tell a compelling story with images or video content is equally important as written skills.
Interactive Features: Incorporating elements like maps, timelines, and quizzes can enhance understanding for readers.
Podcasts: Audio-based news reporting is increasingly popular with podcasts creating new online spaces for deeper analysis and personal stories.
Study Content Creation and Online Marketing at SAE
Developing content that connects with audiences can be essential in today’s digital age for businesses and leading professionals.
With our expert team, leading facilities and creative community, studying our course in content creation and digital marketing can offer you a fantastic opportunity to take your career in digital marketing to the next level.
