Journalism in the Digital Age
"I love the sense of free journalism, but everyone wants a salary," says Pernille Tranberg of Berlingske Media. After meeting with Tranberg and viewing Page One, the new documentary about the New York Times, it seems that she is not the only one in the journalism industry who shares this sentiment. Overall, it seems that the primary concern in the journalism industry, the biggest challenge being faced, is how to capitalize on content, or more simply, how to make money. But unfortunately, creating a business plan that ensures the generation of revenue in today's Internet advertising climate is easier said than done. Beginning in the 2000s, media outlets started "pouring content on the web," as Tranberg says. "No one thought the Internet would have that big of an impact [on journalism]." In effect, journalistic content was being given away and in turn, media houses were relying very heavily upon advertisements as a sort of financial safety net. Today, however, sites like Google and Facebook are eating up most Internet ad revenue, leaving the industry of journalism as we have historically understood it in a state of complete financial confusion. Sites like Google that tailor according to search history and Facebook, an effective user of "social advertising," have become very successful in catering ads in ways that major media houses cannot. On the bright side, traffic on media sites does not seem to have decreased drastically in the digital age, but on the flip side, traffic on these sites no longer ensures money-making. So why not start charging for content? In the new age of mobile Internet, the development of apps is extremely important, as people have come to not only enjoy but expect news that is immediate, timely, and accessible. However, Tranberg explains that as long as media content is still readily available at no cost online, media houses really cannot charge for their apps at this point. And as far as free web content, "Journalists want to make the world a better place ...,"meaning that many media workers are still very much in favor of all-access media content, despite the changing nature of the advertising industry. In 2008, the New York Times started charging for their web content and as a result, they are surviving this financial upheaval ... at least for the time being. "Everything moves so fast, the system can't keep up," Tranberg says. And despite the fact that we live in a world in which even the most trivial and obscure piece of information can be accessed with the click of the mouse (or iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, etc.), capitalizing on said information is not nearly as simple.
October 19, 2011 19:43
Party People: A Visit With Ida Auken of the Socialist People's Party
"I love the sense of free journalism, but everyone wants a salary," says Pernille Tranberg of Berlingske Media. After meeting with Tranberg and viewing Page One, the new documentary about the New York Times, it seems that she is not the only one in the journalism industry who shares this sentiment. Overall, it seems that the primary concern in the journalism industry, the biggest challenge being faced, is how to capitalize on content, or more simply, how to make money. But unfortunately, creating a business plan that ensures the generation of revenue in today's Internet advertising climate is easier said than done. Beginning in the 2000s, media outlets started "pouring content on the web," as Tranberg says. "No one thought the Internet would have that big of an impact [on journalism]." In effect, journalistic content was being given away and in turn, media houses were relying very heavily upon advertisements as a sort of financial safety net. Today, however, sites like Google and Facebook are eating up most Internet ad revenue, leaving the industry of journalism as we have historically understood it in a state of complete financial confusion. Sites like Google that tailor according to search history and Facebook, an effective user of "social advertising," have become very successful in catering ads in ways that major media houses cannot. On the bright side, traffic on media sites does not seem to have decreased drastically in the digital age, but on the flip side, traffic on these sites no longer ensures money-making. So why not start charging for content? In the new age of mobile Internet, the development of apps is extremely important, as people have come to not only enjoy but expect news that is immediate, timely, and accessible. However, Tranberg explains that as long as media content is still readily available at no cost online, media houses really cannot charge for their apps at this point. And as far as free web content, "Journalists want to make the world a better place ...,"meaning that many media workers are still very much in favor of all-access media content, despite the changing nature of the advertising industry. In 2008, the New York Times started charging for their web content and as a result, they are surviving this financial upheaval ... at least for the time being. "Everything moves so fast, the system can't keep up," Tranberg says. And despite the fact that we live in a world in which even the most trivial and obscure piece of information can be accessed with the click of the mouse (or iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, etc.), capitalizing on said information is not nearly as simple.
October 19, 2011 19:43
Party People: A Visit With Ida Auken of the Socialist People's Party
A few weeks ago, my fellow Virtual Worlds & Social Media students and I had a field
study at the Danish Parliament where we had the privilege of meeting with Ida
Auken, Denmark’s new Minister for the Environment. During our time with
her, Ida discussed her Social Media efforts (which makes sense seeing as the
title of our course is, as mentioned, Virtual Worlds & Social Media) and the ways in which she tailors said efforts to her voting base.
Being the modern woman that she
is, Ida's box of social media tools include a webpage, two Facebook pages, a
Twitter, a blog, a LinkedIn, etc. Through this post, I intend to act as a
social media connoisseur, if you will, so as to inform Ida of what I see as the biggest con and the greatest pro regarding her social media personal. So
here I go.
Con: A couple of Ida's Tweets sound somewhat divisive. [See below].
Con: A couple of Ida's Tweets sound somewhat divisive. [See below].
Translation for non-Danes: "Terrible with nuclear accidents in France. Thanks to previous generations who have stood firm so we do not have nuclear power in the DK."
Translation for non-Danes: "Beautiful to wake up to sunshine and a new red government. Thanks to all who fought for us, voted for us and believe that we can create a better DK!"
In Tweet #1, rather than focusing on the tragedy for the French people, Ida is almost using these accidents as a way of bolstering Denmark and its refusal to support nuclear armaments. Of course as a national political figure, pride in one's country is sort of ornamental, but at the same time, this comment could potentially alienate some constituents, which I am certain is not her intent. In both of these examples, Ida is in a way creating an "us" and "them" effect (in the latter Tweet, there is an implied “red” and “blue” division), which as a representative and public servant, could be detrimental to her widespread support. (NOTE: I used Google Translate to better understand Ida's social media efforts, so if the meaning and intent of said efforts was lost in translation, I sincerely apologize).
Pro: Her social media is, well, social (I wonder if there is such a thing as anti-social media. Food for thought). Ida mentioned to us that she wants to develop a personal identity among the Danish people and refuses to become an inaccessible figure behind a good Tweet. Therefore, she uses her Facebook status updates as a means of bolstering the cozy community she so imagines this S.M. tool representing. Here is an example of one of Ida's quite social status updates:
In Tweet #1, rather than focusing on the tragedy for the French people, Ida is almost using these accidents as a way of bolstering Denmark and its refusal to support nuclear armaments. Of course as a national political figure, pride in one's country is sort of ornamental, but at the same time, this comment could potentially alienate some constituents, which I am certain is not her intent. In both of these examples, Ida is in a way creating an "us" and "them" effect (in the latter Tweet, there is an implied “red” and “blue” division), which as a representative and public servant, could be detrimental to her widespread support. (NOTE: I used Google Translate to better understand Ida's social media efforts, so if the meaning and intent of said efforts was lost in translation, I sincerely apologize).
Pro: Her social media is, well, social (I wonder if there is such a thing as anti-social media. Food for thought). Ida mentioned to us that she wants to develop a personal identity among the Danish people and refuses to become an inaccessible figure behind a good Tweet. Therefore, she uses her Facebook status updates as a means of bolstering the cozy community she so imagines this S.M. tool representing. Here is an example of one of Ida's quite social status updates:
Such efforts to foster a genuine, social persona
through Social Media - this attempt to bring the online offline - is brilliantly
executed and does much to support the sincerity of all of Ida's Social Media
efforts.
All in all, Ida seems to be ahead of the curve on her S.M. efforts among political figures (NOTE: I do not say this to imply anything against George H.W. Bush's status updates, as I am sure they are gripping) and speaking with her was quite an honor. I wish her the best of luck as her political career continues and would also like to let her know that even though I am now following her on Twitter, I will not be offended if the favor is not returned. I know it is nothing personal.
Farvel!
All in all, Ida seems to be ahead of the curve on her S.M. efforts among political figures (NOTE: I do not say this to imply anything against George H.W. Bush's status updates, as I am sure they are gripping) and speaking with her was quite an honor. I wish her the best of luck as her political career continues and would also like to let her know that even though I am now following her on Twitter, I will not be offended if the favor is not returned. I know it is nothing personal.
Farvel!
October 13, 2011 13:58
Giddens Reading
Giddens argues that in the face of modernity, individuals are expected to make decisions, accept resulting responsibilities, and deal with doubting said decisions all in a way that preserves the basic essence of the personal narratives we so meticulously craft. Therefore, the ‘self’ is not a passive entity but a reflexive one, implying that a modern woman such as I must craft her identity “in the context of multiple choices.” Simply, the more the world influences us, the more actively must we preserve our personal narratives.
This notion that life happens and all we can do is continue weaving a consistent tale very much resonates with me. At age eight, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and had to make some significant lifestyle changes while remaining, well… me. Nonetheless, diabetes is but one of many facets of my self – a self standing in front of “the backdrop of new forms of mediated experiences” that interact with my existing narrative. Therefore, I must incorporate all influencers into the storybook that is my life, making me anything but a passive absorber of external forces. In modern times, life happens. Disease happens. New experiences happen. And all we can do is adapt.
September 26, 2011 15:51
A Danish Adventure
Two days ago, my roommate and decided to take a trip to Rosenborg Castle, as she is under the impression that marrying into a royal family is her fate (Note: Amanda is not picky so if any eligible Princes or Lords are reading this post, I am quite certain she would love to meet you. Heck, if any eligible court jesters are reading this, she would be probably interested. But I digress.). After a very informative tour through the castle and the treasury, we peered across the lawn and noticed a group of statuesque men romping around a few hundred feet away. It was difficult to discern what exactly was transpiring from our vantage point, so we decided to make our way towards to spectacle to investigate further. We drew nearer, but before we were able to take in the scene in full, one of the strapping young lads came plowing towards Amanda and with what seemed like great ease, tossed her 5'9" frame over his soldier and sprinted back towards his cronies. As I stood there awestruck, it occurred to me that Amanda's kidnapper was donning a Viking hat and an inordinate amount of fur. Only moments later, I met the same fate and was captured by a lovely young Viking named Erik, who later asked me if I was a dwarf (This is a true story. Traumatizing? Yes. Insulting? Absolutely. Comical? No, not really. But nonetheless, I let it slide, as I may be dwarf-like, but Erik was the 30 year old man dressed as a Viking...).
September 6, 2011 7:51 p.m.
About Me
Hello, blog viewers. Lucky for all of you, I am now going to take a few moments to fill you in on all of the gripping details of my exciting life so please, brace yourselves. My name is Alex Seeman and I am a junior at Vanderbilt Univeristy where I am studying Human & Organizational Development, which contrary to popular belief, is NOT the study of building robots.
I am from San Antonio, Texas originally (Remember the Alamo) and therefore have quite an appreciation for guacamole, bull riding, and moderate to severe droughts (Note: I do not actually enjoy the latter two items, but definitely do have quite the affinity for fine guacamole).
I also feel that it is important to state that I will be spending the entire semester in Copenhagen, Denmark where I will be studying Communications & Mass Media, trying my hand at larping, and riding my bike, Violet (Note: Despite my rather buff frame, I am not the most proficient of cyclists so I ask you to please keep me in your thoughts as I take on the Danish roadways).
That is all for now. Farvel ("goodbye").
September 6, 2011 7:´38 p.m.
