The world has gone entirely digital; everything is now accessible online, from products and services to information. The introduction of technological innovations, such as smartphones, has revolutionized how many industries operate today.
In journalism, smartphones have changed how news is gathered, reported and consumed. These versatile devices have created new methodologies and opportunities for journalists. This article will discuss some of these opportunities and how it has streamlined modern journalism.
Smartphones have become an essential and affordable tool for professional and aspiring reporters. Some of the ways they impact the profession include:
Table of Contents
Instant news reporting
Before smartphones, journalists had to use the long route of reporting. They had to use cumbersome video cameras, big satellite trucks and stationary editing suites. While these tools got the job done, there were too many processes, which primarily caused delays in disseminating news; smartphones have changed that.
Journalists can now use smartphones to capture and broadcast events as they happen, with just their smartphone’s camera. Contemporary audiences want their news accurate and quick, and preferably as an update as the event is happening. Being able to instantly upload content to newsrooms or even their social media pages ensures that the public receives this information in real-time.
This change in how news is reported goes beyond professional journalists. The average person can now help gather news, thanks to how small and common smartphones are. These devices are easy to carry, and most people have them, so when something newsworthy happens, people can take pictures and record videos to share information on their social media pages. This has made it possible for more variation in the profession and more inclusive journalism, where an everyday person can record and distribute news.
Although it’s easier to record and post an event online, news reporting requires the skills and understanding only journalists possess. An online Masters in Journalism program through a reputable institution such as St. Bonaventure University educates journalists on improving their skills and expertise.
This program offers a curriculum that combines traditional journalism with modern practices and technological advancement. The online modules can be completed within 18 months where students will learn to report stories in real-time, build their brand as a professional, and code with HTML and other tools to master digital storytelling.
Multimedia storytelling
Smartphones have high-quality cameras and audio recording capabilities that improve how journalists create multimedia content. These features make including engaging and comprehensive narratives in their news reports easier. One significant advantage of smartphones in multimedia storytelling is how versatile content creation can be. Reporters can easily switch between shooting high-resolution photos, recording video and capturing clear audio without needing multiple pieces of bulky equipment.
Journalists can also enrich their storytelling with multimedia elements, such as images, videos and audio. A well-taken photo can capture the emotion of a moment, a video can provide a sense of atmosphere or action and clear audio can convey the tones and nuances of spoken words. When combined with text, these elements create a more immersive experience for the audience.
Social media integration
Smartphones are a vital link between journalists and social media platforms. Reporters can easily access and interact with their audiences on their phones through these platforms. One way this benefits them is that they can publish and promote content directly from a smartphone. These days, journalists with a high following don’t need to liaise with a media newsroom to disseminate news; they can post their content on social media pages.
They can upload videos on different platforms, post images and update their followers about an event right from the field. They don’t even need a traditional desktop setup to achieve this. This immediacy makes their content timelier and more relevant, as social media users want the latest news and updates.
Aside from the publishing factor, journalists can also source news on social media from their smartphones. They can discover breaking news, follow leads and gather information on social media platforms or from comments posted on their published pieces. Reporters can also track trending topics with their smartphones. They can monitor social media trends, hashtags and conversations to determine what’s capturing the public’s interest.
They can also engage with their audiences on every social platform, interact with their followers in real-time, respond to comments on their Twitter posts and gauge public opinion on published news. This interaction with people online can provide valuable feedback, story ideas and a sense of what matters to their audience. It can also help them build a more direct and personal connection with their audience.
Mobile journalism (MoJo)
Mobile journalism is a form of journalism where reporters use smartphones to gather, edit and disseminate news. MoJo has gained traction in recent years due to the advanced capabilities of modern smartphones that can function as mini news studios.
Mobile journalists benefit from all the features smartphones have to offer. They have high-quality cameras instead of actual cameras, audio recorders instead of sound equipment, editing software in place of a real studio and direct access to publishing platforms, all in a single device. Some of the advantages of mobile journalism include:
Affordability
Traditional journalism equipment, such as professional cameras, sound equipment and editing suites, is expensive, and many independent and freelance journalists cannot afford them. In contrast, smartphones save the day. They’re affordable and offer more functionality. The cost-effectiveness of smartphones opens the stage for people who have been unable to pursue their dream careers due to the high costs of equipment.
Flexibility and mobility
Reporters can easily carry their smartphones to various locations, making it easier to report from remote or crowded areas, where carrying bulky equipment might be challenging. This mobility makes it possible to cover stories that might have been logistically difficult to report on before.
Streamlined process for freelance journalists
Freelance journalists often operate without the support of a prominent news organization. This means they must be self-sufficient and versatile. Smartphones let them single-handedly manage their entire reporting process — from capturing footage to editing and publishing — without needing additional staff or resources.
Even without all of these, mobile journalism suits the current digital media landscape. Freelancers and independents can easily adapt their content for various digital outlets, whether social media, blogs or online news portals. They can also reach and engage with a more diverse audience if they publish their content across various platforms.
Enhanced research and verification tools
There is a vast amount of accessible information online, and smartphones have become an essential tool for journalists to access these resources. With a good internet connection, these devices can connect to the web from anywhere. This accessibility makes it easy to verify facts and access public records when they’re writing. For instance, a reporter covering a breaking story about a political figure can immediately look up that individual’s past statements, voting records or public speeches. Having immediate access to information ensures they report well-informed and accurate news quickly.
Sometimes, an effort to report quickly can compromise the quality of the news if reporters don’t fact-check correctly. Getting the story out fast can sometimes compromise accuracy, which is why fact-checking is vital to journalism. Technology has made this easier. Reporters can use their smartphones to check facts against reliable sources and consult expert databases. They can also use dedicated fact-checking apps and websites, like Google Fact-Check Explorer and Verification Handbook. Using these apps on a smartphone reduces the risk of disseminating false or unverified information and maintains the integrity of the news.
The ease of conducting online research through a smartphone extends to more in-depth investigative tasks like accessing public records, conducting background checks and fact checking a statement. Journalists can remotely access databases, court documents and other public records that are essential for in-depth reporting. This comes in handy when covering complex stories that require a thorough understanding of the background and context.
Journalists’ ability to do all this on the go significantly enhances their reporting efficiency. They can conduct research from the field, verify information in real-time and ensure solid facts and data backup their stories.
Live streaming capabilities
Live streaming has changed the way news is covered and consumed. It’s a technology that allows reporters to broadcast events as they happen, giving their audience an unfiltered view of the event. Live streaming’s immediacy and authenticity, especially during news situations, are unparalleled.
With live streaming, journalists can offer on-the-spot coverage, where they bring viewers directly to the scene. They allow their viewers to see the same thing they’re seeing. It’s especially crucial in fast-evolving situations, like natural disasters, protests or significant public events, where the mood and developments can change rapidly. Viewers get a sense of being there, which traditional reporting methods often can’t match.
Another significant advantage of live streaming is that it builds engagement with audiences. Viewers can comment and ask questions; journalists can answer these questions and understand the public’s position on the event. It creates an interactive experience. This interaction allows these professionals to gauge audience reactions and respond directly, which leads to a more engaging form of journalism.
Live streaming with a smartphone is also cost-effective. Journalists don’t need expensive broadcasting equipment and large crews, which generally makes it a cheaper and easier mode of news reporting for those who can’t afford expensive equipment.
What are the challenges of live streaming?
While live streaming on smartphones offers many benefits for journalism, it also has its challenges. One major issue is ensuring that what is being broadcast live is accurate and reliable. Journalists must find the right balance between reporting news quickly through live streaming and ensuring their reporting is correct and trustworthy. Even with these challenges, the advantages of live streaming are apparent. It allows news to be reported as it happens, gives a genuine view of events, and helps journalists connect more with their audience.
Audience engagement and feedback
Technology has transformed the way journalists engage with their audiences. Smartphones have provided a more direct and interactive connection between reporters and consumers. Journalists can now engage in real-time dialogue with their audience through comments, polls and social media interactions, which can significantly impact the news process.
Another thing smartphone interaction does is let journalists receive instant feedback on their work. Their viewers and readers can comment on articles and posts, share their opinions and offer insights these professionals can see on their devices. This creates an immediate feedback loop that illustrates how people receive a particular piece of content and the impact that content is making. It also gives journalists a general overview of what topics resonate with their audience the most. They can then use this information to guide future content creation.
This feedback loop can also include more than comments. Readers often share their personal experiences, information or viewpoints in their interactions. Journalists can get new story ideas or learn about underreported stories from their readers’ comments. If you’re a journalist looking to cover diverse topics and viewpoints that are not typically highlighted in mainstream media, your audience’s comments can be a starting point.
You can also post polls and surveys to evaluate the public’s viewpoint on a story. Polls and surveys provide a quantifiable measure of public sentiment. People from different geographical locations, backgrounds and interests who might not have had the opportunity to interact with journalists through traditional means can do so through polls and surveys. You can use your survey results to shape the story narrative and even decide which stories to pursue based on your audience’s interests.
Personal branding and independent reporting
Personal branding is the image you create of yourself on the internet or social media. It tells people what you stand for, your skills and what makes you unique. Your personal brand is the name you make for yourself in your niche, and journalists can achieve this through the topics they choose to talk about online.
Smartphones make it easy. The audience already has a direct connection to journalists through smartphones. Now, even when journalists work for media houses, their interaction with their audience gives them a personal brand. Platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and personal blogs have become instrumental in this shift. Other advantages of personal branding include:
Direct connection to audience
Every tool a journalist needs to report news is a feature on a smartphone. These devices have top-notch built-in video and audio features that ease the news reporting process. Reporters can instantly create and publish their content to their pages, reaching their audience efficiently. This connection gives journalists a chance to build their personal brand and showcase their unique voice and style.
Eliminates third party
Another advantage of personal branding is that it removes third parties between the journalist and their audience. Journalists no longer need the backing of major media organizations to report on stories. They can independently investigate, document and share stories that they find essential.
Influencer reporters use personal branding to push their stories on the internet. They leverage their social media presence to report on events and share analysis. Simply put, more people get to see their news because they have a personal page on all social media platforms. It’s how people may discover your work because they know you and not the other way around. This influence is often rooted in the trust and relationship journalists build with their audience.
Real-time collaboration and cloud storage
Cloud storage is a powerful digital storage system to save digital files and run computer programs instead of using system hardware. Journalists move around a lot, and saving their articles, photos and videos online ensures they can access these files anywhere. Cloud-based apps and platforms are central to this accessibility. Journalists can instantly use their smartphones to upload and share various types of content, including notes, audio recordings, images and videos. In turn, their colleagues and editors can access these assets from anywhere in the world.
Editors are especially vital in this process. They can review content as soon as it’s uploaded, make editorial suggestions and ensure the information aligns with journalistic standards and practices. This instantaneous editing and approval process speeds up the workflow significantly. It also means that stories can be published much faster than when using traditional methods.
Regular content updates
With smartphones, it’s easier to update stories quickly when new information comes up or things change. Most articles and posts are editable on the internet, and a piece you wrote two months ago may have old news due to a change in events. Smartphones make it easy to research and incorporate that research into your previously written piece. In this way, the article remains evergreen.
Cloud computing also ensures that everyone working on a news story gets the more recent and updated version to avoid mistakes. Cloud computing keeps the information safe and backed up, so it doesn’t get lost or damaged.
Reporting with smartphones
Smartphones have made news reporting more immediate, versatile and interactive. These technological tools have become indispensable in modern journalists’ toolkits. They shape how news is produced, and how the public processes it in the contemporary world.
