Media Issue #4: How Social Media, Internet Changed Experience of Japan Disaster

Dorian Benkoil, the writer of "How Social Media, Internet Changed Experience of Japan Disaster" on Media Shift (2011) discusses how social media change the traditional journalism to another form of writing.  Based on the event of Japan's earthquake in Kobe, indeed, we are praying for the country; however, the power of social media has taking over the new form of journalism. Here we have multi-platform experience today, we can just stay at home or office to watch the latest news, most of the channels such as ABC, Fox, CNN and BBC are available on cable TV. People no longer reading the newspaper, it is not only update slower than online news, but also increasing the usage of papers. Besides that, on Facebook or Twitter are also another highest social network sharing site, now we are able to read latest Facebook's status on date, reports, informations, etc.

In today's world, news in media are changing rapidly, from traditional news that involve deadlines and top down reporting. These media stations are expensive to broadcast, with certain limitations in between advertising and business market (Beckett & Mansell, 2007). On the other hand, new form journalism is cover more than expected in new media world. They are no limitations in timing, air space, and no need to hold accountability on certain issue. For instance, anyone can post anything on their status, post a note, comment and share to anyone. 

The good thing is the Internet is available in different tools of sharing, such as blogs (Blogger, Wordpress), social networks (Facebook, Twitter), websites and cyber communities. People have the freedom on discussing their lives through online world without costing them at all (Livingstone & Bober, 2005). Castells (2001) also argues the digitalize world increase the close-ness of the space between the world and people, however Bauman (2000) and Beck (1992) contrast the risk of mind is revolving beneath such complicated spaces of new form of journalism. (cited in Beckett & Mansell, 2007).

References

Benkoil, D 2011, How Social Media, Internet Chaged Experience of Japan Disaster, 15 March, Media Shift, viewed 10 June 2011, <http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2011/03/how-social-media-internet-changed-experience-of-japan-disaster-074.html>.

Beckett, C & Mansell, R 2007, Crossing Boudaries: New Media and Networked Journalism, London School of Economics, viewed 9 June 2011, <http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/4221/1/Crossing_boundaries-new_media_and_networked_journalism(LSERO).pdf>.

Livingstone, S & Bober, M 2005, UK Children Go Online: Final report of Key Project Fndings, report prepared for ESRC project, London School of Economics and Political Science, viewed 10 June 2011, < http://personal.lse.ac.uk/bober/UKCGOfinalReport.pdf>.