The Evolution of Journalism: The Iranian Conflict
Steph Pillion
Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Opinions
Online media is revolutionizing journalism.
Journalism is a multifaceted and constantly changing discipline. In the United States, the industry has evolved geographically and technologically. Decades ago, the distribution of newspapers was limited to towns within a certain radius. Now, with new technology and improved transportation, newspapers are available across the country. As a result, culture and politics have become more wide-reaching.
The most revolutionary technological advance for journalism has been the creation of online media and the widespread access it has provided to the global community. News is instantly accessible all across the globe. Large news networks such as CNN, ABC and NBC supplement articles with pictures and video clips on online social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. These networks are used to help inform the public and share stories and ideas.
Online media helps us connect with the world.
In June of 2009, President Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran ran for re-election against the moderate Mir Hussein Moussavi. Weeks before the election, a strong opposition movement had grown against Ahmadinejad. While Ahmadinejad had popular support in the countryside, Moussavi had the popular support across the nation.
An hour after the election, Ahmadinejad reported that he had won with a 41 percent lead over Moussavi.
When tension escalated and the protests increased, the New York Times reported, "Journalists were banned from leaving their offices to report on the protests." Some were arrested. Others were forced to leave the country for fear of being prosecuted for reporting on events.
Without journalists to cover events, online media-based social journalism evolved to provide coverage.
Online networks such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have previously been used to spread news and connect across cultures. However, never before has the use of online media been solely relied on to inform the general public.
Journalism is a multifaceted and constantly changing discipline. In the United States, the industry has evolved geographically and technologically. Decades ago, the distribution of newspapers was limited to towns within a certain radius. Now, with new technology and improved transportation, newspapers are available across the country. As a result, culture and politics have become more wide-reaching.
The most revolutionary technological advance for journalism has been the creation of online media and the widespread access it has provided to the global community. News is instantly accessible all across the globe. Large news networks such as CNN, ABC and NBC supplement articles with pictures and video clips on online social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. These networks are used to help inform the public and share stories and ideas.
Online media helps us connect with the world.
In June of 2009, President Ahmadinejad of the Islamic Republic of Iran ran for re-election against the moderate Mir Hussein Moussavi. Weeks before the election, a strong opposition movement had grown against Ahmadinejad. While Ahmadinejad had popular support in the countryside, Moussavi had the popular support across the nation.
An hour after the election, Ahmadinejad reported that he had won with a 41 percent lead over Moussavi.
When tension escalated and the protests increased, the New York Times reported, "Journalists were banned from leaving their offices to report on the protests." Some were arrested. Others were forced to leave the country for fear of being prosecuted for reporting on events.
Without journalists to cover events, online media-based social journalism evolved to provide coverage.
Online networks such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have previously been used to spread news and connect across cultures. However, never before has the use of online media been solely relied on to inform the general public.
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