The readers of mainstream media are now participating in the authoring of the content. They can decide what news is rather than relying on institutions like the BBC to tell them what news is. Though blogging and social networking the model of how news is delivered has changed. News has generally been delivered in a one-to-many communication model. Even in the 1770s individuals with strong options would publish pamphlets or broadsides as they were afraid of going through the usual channels to get certain types of information out to the public. Thomas Paine wrote a popular pamphlet called Common Sense in 1776 in support of the American Revolution. He ended the pamphlet with 'written by and Englishman' to try and drive the point home.
Most broadcast news is still delivered though the model of one-to-many communication, but there are instances where a sensational story has first been posted or broadcasted on the internet and from there made it to mainstream news. This new model can be referred to as the 'bottom up' approach rather than a 'top down' story. In short people are deciding what they think should be in the news. This could lead to a change in what journalists have called news values, which were guidelines that helped them organize news stories and decide what could make the front page tomorrow. Now on skynews and euronews there are short segments where they broadcast YouTube videos that have gotten the most hits that day. Does that necessarily mean the content is news? Personally I’m not sure. However sites like twitter can be very useful tools when looking for information. If you’re working for a newspaper in Luton you can hash tag Luton and see what people are blogging about it, which may lead you to a great story.
Technology has not only changed the way news is delivered but it can make the news more interactive though ‘newsgames’. Sites like newsgrounds have realized that games stimulate people by using interactive models to represent a story. It can keep people informed and entertained which will make it more memorable story. Technology impacts the way news is delivered and consumed. It is also very useful for finding information and new stories. If we look at the Chilean Minors story technology was also used to communicate with the trapped men and assess their health. For the most part I think incorporating technology into the journalistic field is a step in the right direction. Does this mean anyone can become a journalist? To me it does and why shouldn’t people publish a story they have discovered and researched?
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