The publishing scene has recently
undergone several changes. Society appears to be slowly moving away from print towards
digital sources that promise quicker and easier access to information. However,
we are still currently navigating a middle ground between print and digital.
The adoption of digital and mobile communication
methods has given individuals the platform to publish to more people than ever
before. It’s surprising just how quickly digital media has become the norm.
 |
Image
displays shifts in publishing and communication tools and methods by
interpreting the classic ‘Evolution of Man’ illustration. While it touches on
publishing history, it highlights how digital and mobile devices have changed
the ways in which individuals can access published text.
Source:
Chris R Becker, http://chrisrbecker.com/thesisblog/evolution/
|
In terms of disseminating information,
Twitter and blogs are the most popular tools for publishing current events. The
appeal of these tools is that they don’t have to echo the sentiments of any
publication and they can also publish work outside of the standard news cycle,
so news can break almost as it happens. It’s a different way of consuming news compared
to the formulaic approach offered by broadcast TV, as is hilariously shown by
Brooker (2010).
Traditional news outlets have had
to shake things up to compete. Journalists have struggled with how to
differentiate themselves from citizen journalists. If anyone can air their
opinion or share information online, it now becomes the journalist’s role to
provide original content and solid fact across a number of platforms (Shachtman,
2002).
There has also been debate
regarding the introduction of paywalls in order to combat declining revenue from
advertising in print publications. While I understand the reasons for limiting
content to paying customers, I think the business model of allowing access to articles
from web links is a good compromise (Kafka, 2011). It shows that reputable
media companies realise the sense behind differentiating between publics that
are loyal readers and visitors, those who prefer print articles and those that favour
online, multimedia publications.
For audiences, navigating through a
plethora of multimedia has become both exciting and daunting. Who can we trust
to give us the unbiased truth? Which publications will we turn towards? Readers
and viewers are forced to be more selective of what content they consume. A critical
audience that expects thoughtful, high-quality content, no matter what platform
they engage with, is a step in the right direction.
References:
Becker, C. R. 2010, Evolution,
drawn image, Chris R. Becker, accessed 11 August 2014, <http://chrisrbecker.com/thesisblog/evolution/>
Brooker, C. 2010, How to report the news, online video, accessed 7 August 2014,
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHun58mz3vI >
Kafka, P. 2011, ‘Q&A: New York
Times digital czar Martin Nisenholtz on the paywall, pricing, Google and Apple’,
All Things D, 18 March, accessed 7
March 2014, <http://allthingsd.com/20110318/qa-new-york-times-digital-czar-martin-nisenholtz-on-the-paywall-pricing-google-and-apple/>
Shachtman, N. 2002, ‘Blogs make the
headlines’, Wired, weblog post, 23
December, accessed 10 August 2014, <http://archive.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2002/12/56978>
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