Blog 5: Digital Journalism and its Impact

What you need to know:

1. This course has shown me the significance of audio journalism, realizing its potential to convey news stories effectively.

2. I have developed an appreciation for the intricacies of journalism: the importance of preparedness, planning, and responsibility.

3. It has also taught me the importance of the use of digital platforms like social media for success in the field.

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This digital journalism class has given me deep insight into how journalism functions—both in traditional media, as well as in the digital age of news media.

Previously, when I would think about radio, my mind would automatically go to music or advertisements played while in the car. However, after taking this class and attending the lectures, I discovered that there is much more to the art of radio in the form of audio journalism.

Recording in Acoustic Enclosure

I never fully realized that news stories could be told just as well and with just as much effort as a video story on television or a print story in the newspaper, but this class and its lectures have proven to me that audio journalism is a valuable way of getting across information.

This course has taught me that a lot goes on behind the scenes for the jobs and responsibilities of journalists of all sorts. In my own experience of going out into the community to conduct interviews for my stories, I learned that preparedness and planning ahead are key.

For example, in my story about the TNR process, I had to contact a number of people

Cats from Operation Pets in Blasdell

and ask to interview them before the story could even get off the ground. I had to prepare questions, do my research, and even travel great distances in order to achieve the end goal that I desired. It was stressful at times, and I now have a much deeper respect for the people who do this as their career.

Finally, this course, as its name is literally “Digital Journalism,” has taught me about the art of delivering stories through sources like social media and the internet. Specifically, over the course of this semester, it has been hammered into me by my professor that forming connections, maintaining professionalism, and learning from your mistakes—and from others—is essential for success in this field.

My LinkedIn post

Prior to this course, I did not have a LinkedIn account, but I now realize that platforms like that are how one gets recognized for their hard work by employers, and also allow them to form an audience around their content. Overall, I have learned a great deal about the value of journalism from this class.