Convergence and Consolidation in Journalism

For years the way we receive our news has been evolving. From newspapers, radios, tv's, and now the internet. This convergence allows any journalist to write and post any article they deem "newsworthy" online for any viewer to read. However with this convergence brings consolidation to a once thriving market. The average person is more likely to go online and read about the news now than they are to buy a newspaper. That being said the internet has found ways to make news more compelling, as journalists can post videos along with their articles. Consolidation is when you combine multiple things, in this case companies, and make them into a singular, more effective whole. This argument was more thank likely used when larger companies pressured smaller local companies to sell out and "consolidate."
By creating less companies it creates less journalists which means many local and smaller news stories go unnoticed. When that happened the internet was being used to the fullest with news becoming more accessible online, and much more convenient. While convergence does have its negatives that feed into consolidation, they also have positives that counter these very problems as well.
Among these negatives includes the loss of jobs. “In the USA today there are roughly 3,000 people working on the internet making news. Last year alone 16,000 newspaper employees lost their jobs." While the internet does its best to create employment, it is simply not enough. Another negative linked with this is credibility. Now more than ever readers must be weary of of the credibility of stories online, as it could be someone fabricating lies for an entertaining story. Another negative is if there are only a few networks left, after consolidating, then it creates less competition between them. As this revolution continues anyone with the a passion for news can now act up on it enter the world of professional journalism.




Media for All: Solving convergence and ownership consolidation problems by Damien Gayle

http://blogs.journalism.co.uk/editors/2009/11/03/media-for-all-solving-convergence-and-ownership-consolidation-problems/

Morals In Journalism

In September of 2009 the associated press released a photo of a marine dying on the battlefield, doing so against the wishes of the marines family. This has long been an issue of much debate and discussion around the nation. During the Gulf War in 1991 the Bush administration put a blanket ban on any media coverage of Honor Guard Ceremonies. This is an issue that many are very passionate about as it pertains to the fallen protectors of our nation and their honor. The argument of one side is: Pictures of fallen soldiers show the public that tragic truth about war and honor the soldiers. The counter argument to this is: The Associated press is not releasing these photos to honor the soldiers, they are releasing them to make money and cause controversy because that is what sells. At the very least permission from the soldiers family should first be required to release any photograph of a dying or dead soldier. The morality of the issue is this: Does the first amendment make it acceptable for the media to exploit U.S soldiers? Because the images may be newsworthy does it make it okay to print the image of dead loved one with a family and friends in the process of grieving? Soldiers and their families should have a right to privacy, and they will not be able to do so when they are in line at the grocery store and see their dead son on the cover of a magazine. Perhaps I am biased on this situation or maybe I have an incite, either way I have a brother serving his first tour in the Army in Iraq. In the event of an untimely demise I would think it would only be suiting for the Associated Press to obtain permission from the family to use an image of that content. The rights to a persons privacy are very important to the moral fiber of this country, we all exercise our right to it and when our rights to privacy are being altered we all lash out at the imposer. So again I ask, is it moral for journalist to make money off of ones honorable sacrifice?


References:
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20090226/index.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2141549/associated_press_to_dead_soldiers_family.html?cat=9

My Goals in this Course

In this class I would like to learn about the journalism profession and how to write properly for the mass media. I am also interested in learning the proper procedures and ethical guidelines involved in the field of journalism. I am not yet sure if I want to be a journalist but I am interested in learning more and acquiring the writing skills to do so.