The impact of digital technologies on journalism

A few decades ago, journalism had been paddling quietly in the traditional waters, where the only ways to acquire information were by buying the newspaper at the corner kiosk or through the little quill that roamed the bus stops avenues. This first stage of journalism, compared to today, has been displaced by the disruptive way of communication that exists in the current digital age.

The emergence of the Internet has allowed journalism to undergo a rapid and constant transformation. The ease that social networks provide for information is a clear example of the indirect use of technology in journalism. The use of the mobile phone to make coverage, the accessibility of information to write an informative note or to prepare a report, etc. All these changes have come from the hand of technology. However, it should be noted that the message remains the same. What has changed is how the messages walk.

In this sense, little by little, we no longer speak only of journalism; but of cyber journalism, which has a wide range of variants and ways of applying it. For example, social networks have changed the way of doing coverage thanks to live broadcasts. This tool breaks time, and distance barriers, optimize costs and generates a greater audience reach. However, this use of mobile journalism is not the property or exclusivity of journalists; but anyone who has access to the necessary technology, a point to consider.

Another very particular use of social networks applied to journalism is that applied by the Hindu journalist Yusuf Omar, from the Hindustan Times, who has been revolutionizing journalism by his use of Snapchat to tell stories of survivors of sexual abuse in India, making video – instant interviews on your account on that platform. Yusuf’s disruptive idea began years ago when he commissioned the war in Syria, with only a smartphone and a small digital camera. Omar is the new mobile editor of the Hindustan Times, India’s largest traditional newspaper. He has trained mobile journalists from South Africa, India, and the UK and is one of mobile journalism’s biggest names.

Following the transmedia coverage line, Twitter has completely changed the way of telling stories because with only 140 characters. You have to describe an event or tell something relevant. It also allows you to receive feedback from the reader’s “retweets” and “shares”; on the other hand. It offers a broader knowledge of the subject, thanks to hyper textuality. These links help contrast information with other sources and follow related notes.

There is no doubt that journalism is no longer the same as in the last century. The technological revolution has produced the transformation of the communication media, which have had to obligatorily mutate to the multiplatform due to the audience’s demand to consume updated information through their mobile applications. A tough challenge that journalism will have to face.

There are leading examples of media outlets which are digitally advanced and have fully capitalized on digital transformation. In the UK, the most major example remains British Herald eMagazine. The platform features news stories, breaking news, and coverage of topics of politics, culture, entertainment, sport, fashion, lifestyle, and op-eds.

Its Executive Editor, Ansif Ashraf for the past 15 years has steered the course of the publication into being one of the most recognized digital platforms. British Herald eMagazine is distributed through Magzter which has 50 Million Plus Users. In addition, Magzter is the world’s largest Digital News Stand in the UK.