The future of journalism
1) Why does Clay Shirky argue that 'accountability journalism' is so important and what example does he give of this?
Clay shirky talks about accountability journalism and states the impact of its importance as it puts the power in the hands of the less powerful and puts us in a position to publish what we push and moves the power away from large institutions only and prevents things such as corruption.
2) What does Shirky say about the relationship between newspapers and advertisers? Which websites does he mention as having replaced major revenue-generators for newspapers (e.g. jobs, personal ads etc.)?
Shirky states that the relationship between newspapers and advertisers has never been conventional and friendly as advertisers used to have to fight for such a small piece of advertising in newspapers and would have to pay such a large amount of money to have this small space and were arguably exploited, however the tables have now turned with there being excess advertising space which is going ridiculously cheap and the advertising market being predominantly dominated by firms such as google and online newspapers are having to make their advertising charges much more attractive.
3) Shirky talks about the 'unbundling of content'. This means people are reading newspapers in a different way. How does he suggest audiences are consuming news stories in the digital age?
In the past it was thought that audiences had somewhat control over what they consumed, as if they did not consume something the company would theoretically go out of business, however if enough people enjoyed it this would not be the case and you would "learn to enjoy it" and would basically be forced into consuming something, however now there is a much more larger availability for those who have selective taste as it is much easier for people to produce and publish content.
4) Shirky also talks about the power of shareable media. How does he suggest the child abuse scandal with the Catholic Church may have been different if the internet had been widespread in 1992?
I agree and think that it certainly would not have been forgotten for a long time and the necessary actions would have been taken as it would have been much larger to cover it up and perhaps would have prevented many of the things which happened as people may have been able to bring attention to it much earlier if they had a cellphone in their hand perhaps.
5) Why does Shirky argue against paywalls?
He argues against paywalls as it puts users in a position where audiences may not be receiving the full potential of information they could be and that accountability journalism should be free.
6) What is a 'social good'? In what way is journalism a 'social good'?
A social good is something that benefits the largest number of people in the largest possible way and journalism is one of those things as it may not help everyone but will be beneficial for most and will prevent corruption and allow the truth to come to light.
7) Shirky says newspapers are in terminal decline. How does he suggest we can replace the important role in society newspapers play? What is the short-term danger to this solution that he describes?
There needs to be a new system put in place where journalism can still thrive and is likely to be through the internet however there is a danger that corruption may be able to thrive during this period.8) Look at the first question and answer regarding institutional power. Give us your own opinion: how important is it that major media brands such as the New York Times or the Guardian continue to stay in business and provide news?
I think that it is important that certain media brands stay in power as it puts them in a position where they are dynamically efficient and are able to reinvest into research and development to create new and innovative ways to provide news and also, because the independent journalists will not have the power and resources to potentially chase certain sources and assert their authority, however hopefully they can not be corrupted and have a reason to stay open.
Clay shirky talks about accountability journalism and states the impact of its importance as it puts the power in the hands of the less powerful and puts us in a position to publish what we push and moves the power away from large institutions only and prevents things such as corruption.
2) What does Shirky say about the relationship between newspapers and advertisers? Which websites does he mention as having replaced major revenue-generators for newspapers (e.g. jobs, personal ads etc.)?
Shirky states that the relationship between newspapers and advertisers has never been conventional and friendly as advertisers used to have to fight for such a small piece of advertising in newspapers and would have to pay such a large amount of money to have this small space and were arguably exploited, however the tables have now turned with there being excess advertising space which is going ridiculously cheap and the advertising market being predominantly dominated by firms such as google and online newspapers are having to make their advertising charges much more attractive.
3) Shirky talks about the 'unbundling of content'. This means people are reading newspapers in a different way. How does he suggest audiences are consuming news stories in the digital age?
In the past it was thought that audiences had somewhat control over what they consumed, as if they did not consume something the company would theoretically go out of business, however if enough people enjoyed it this would not be the case and you would "learn to enjoy it" and would basically be forced into consuming something, however now there is a much more larger availability for those who have selective taste as it is much easier for people to produce and publish content.
4) Shirky also talks about the power of shareable media. How does he suggest the child abuse scandal with the Catholic Church may have been different if the internet had been widespread in 1992?
I agree and think that it certainly would not have been forgotten for a long time and the necessary actions would have been taken as it would have been much larger to cover it up and perhaps would have prevented many of the things which happened as people may have been able to bring attention to it much earlier if they had a cellphone in their hand perhaps.
5) Why does Shirky argue against paywalls?
He argues against paywalls as it puts users in a position where audiences may not be receiving the full potential of information they could be and that accountability journalism should be free.
6) What is a 'social good'? In what way is journalism a 'social good'?
A social good is something that benefits the largest number of people in the largest possible way and journalism is one of those things as it may not help everyone but will be beneficial for most and will prevent corruption and allow the truth to come to light.
7) Shirky says newspapers are in terminal decline. How does he suggest we can replace the important role in society newspapers play? What is the short-term danger to this solution that he describes?
There needs to be a new system put in place where journalism can still thrive and is likely to be through the internet however there is a danger that corruption may be able to thrive during this period.8) Look at the first question and answer regarding institutional power. Give us your own opinion: how important is it that major media brands such as the New York Times or the Guardian continue to stay in business and provide news?
I think that it is important that certain media brands stay in power as it puts them in a position where they are dynamically efficient and are able to reinvest into research and development to create new and innovative ways to provide news and also, because the independent journalists will not have the power and resources to potentially chase certain sources and assert their authority, however hopefully they can not be corrupted and have a reason to stay open.
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