READING DIARY: A response to The future of journalism: Networked Journalism by Bregtje Van Der Haak,

A response to The future of journalism: Networked Journalism by Bregtje Van Der Haak, Michael Parks and Manuel Castells.

This paper discusses the various ways in which technology has impacted journalism in the 21st century. Initially both negative and positive views are covered briefly before being explored in more depth later on. "The dynamic landscape of continuous and diversified witnessing and reporting does not represent a crisis of journalism, but, rather an explosion of it"1, puts a positive light on internet coverage though making eye witness accounts and supporting media easily accessible. However unfortunately it does allow many other problems to surface.

Online sources may not always be reliable. The dilution of information makes finding the original source rather difficult, thus gaging the authenticity is a challenge. Teamed with "more diverse perspectives on the same news stories are being presented"2, means that journalists find it increasingly hard to create interesting stories with valid supporting evidence. These sources also have the potential to be linked to PR agencies thus leading to manipulated advertising, "modern media failure is complicated and subtle. It involves all kinds of manipulation, occasional conspiracy, lying, cheating, stupidity, cupidity, gullibility, a collapse of skill and a new wave of deliberate propaganda."3

With this in mind, the writing does appear to be more in favour of networked journalism by using terms such as "alive" and "amazing". Therefore for my own research I would focus on the negative impact of networked journalism, caused by the pressures of less journalists to a higher demand for information.

In conclusion the chapter raises arguments to both support and attack networked journalism, however it does favour the positive aspects. In order to gain a detailed counter argument I would research into the pressures networked journalism holds for individuals.

1 The future of journalism: Networked Journalism by Bregtje Van Der Haak, Michael Parks and Manuel Castells

2 The future of journalism: Networked Journalism by Bregtje Van Der Haak, Michael Parks and Manuel Castells

3 News journalism and public relations: a dangerous relationship by Kevin Moloney, Daniel Jackson and David McQueen