Part 6 - Society Expects Technological Advancements to Encourage HYPER-CONNECTIVITY

“In the last ten years the world has gone from connected to hyperconnected, this is actually the biggest thing happening on the planet today and it is, in fact, driving every social, political and economic trend” – Thomas Friedman

Living in the digital age has not only given individuals the opportunity to openly communicate, in spite of the cultural and language barriers that make us different, but it has also exposed us a technological limitation of privacy.  Mariella Combi (2013) highlights that communication is a “reflection of society” and technology enables each individual to be connected in order to instantaneously be aware of and discuss happenings in their personal lives and issues occurring around the globe. This level of connectedness is described as “hyper-connectivity” - which is the employment of every multimedia device that an individual possesses to stay connected online; whereby keeping the communication channels permanently open (Great People Inside, 2017).

Hyper-connectivity keeps the lines between societal barriers and boundaries clear; completely erasing time-lapses and space. As a result of the “rise of networks, space becomes defined by connectivity” (Hyperconnectivity, n.d.); therefore, bridging the physical gaps in communication and fusing time and space; and employing “connectivity as its own space” - Web 2.0. The quote above by Thomas Friedman solidifies the fact that hyper-connectivity has impacted and will forever impact how digital technology has shifted societal expectations of mass media and culture.  Furthermore, today’s technological era, begs us to answer the question of privacy and how we can improve it. Philip Patterson and Lee Wilkins (2014) shares that in spite of the 'connectivity', privacy determines who has access to the information, and privacy “does not require that information never reach public view, but rather who has control over that information which becomes public.” To improve this issue, individuals should not accept that communicating online means that they have no privacy and there will always be a need for one to become media literate about the platforms they have handles on. 

Regardless of the challenges that come as a result of hyper-connectivity, it has revolutionized how people view the world, and further shaped their opinions of politics, religion, societal standards, and traditions. It has not only created avenues for constant communication and facilitated the creation of new media devices and platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, Tumblr, Skype ... ) to fulfil the human need, but it has also enabled the world, the global village to always be connected. 

References

Combi, M. Cultures, and technology: An Analysis of Some of the Changes in Progress - Digital, Global and Local Culture. Culture and Heritage in a Changing World, 3-15. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-29544-2_1

Elenabsl. (n.d.). Connecting People Around the World Stock Vector - Illustration of european, diversity: 94024847. [Image]. Retrieved June 17, 2018, from https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-connecting-people-around-world-all-over-together-communication-technology-social-media-concept-image94024847

FujitsuUK. (2015, March 24). Ready for the hyperconnected world? [YouTube]. Retrieved June 17, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYqB1E2KHm4&list=PLV493J-pTITfTEL0kp3WXPoj6Jl3ZU-L4

Great People Inside. (2017, March 22). Hyperconnectivity - The New Imperative? Retrieved June 17, 2018, from http://greatpeopleinside.com/hyperconnectivity-new-imperative/

Hyperconnectivity. (n.d.). Retrieved June 17, 2018, from http://complexitylabs.io/hyperconnectivity/

Patterson, P., & Wilkins, L. (2014). Media Ethics: Issues & Cases (8th ed., pp. 1-20). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. 

Part 5 - Society Expects Technological Advancements to Promote CONVERGENCE

Over the last century, communication has evolved tremendously through the employment of cutting-edge technologies, that have given birth to convergence.  Convergence is defined as “the erosion of traditional distinctions among media” (Stanley Baran, 2015).  Convergence is also as a result of digitization of “almost all content,” the increasing speed of “wired and wireless networks” which make access to digital content “seamless, fast and easy,” and the fast-growing mobile technologies in communication (Baran, 2015).

However, convergence is not just limited to technology and Henry Jenkins (Edutopia, 2013) posits that as a result of technological convergence, cultural convergence is born.  Cultural convergence relies heavily on the fusion of cultures within the global society; whereby, promoting participatory convergence. 

Through cultural convergence, participatory culture allows global societies to participate in a community infused with the myriad of cultures on the internet.  According to Understanding Media Culture (2016), YouTube is a primary example of participatory culture as it provides the avenue for “anyone with a video camera and an Internet connection the opportunity to communicate with people around the world and create and shape cultural trends.”  Moreover, this social media platform has managed to promote and provide opportunities for not just technological convergence, but also participatory culture, which has inadvertently shaped how technology has altered society’s expectations of mass media and culture. In essence, participatory culture caters to providing access to new media platforms through which cultural barriers become blurred and seemingly nonexistent.

References

Baran, S. (2015). Communication, Media & Society (9th ed.). [Bookshelf reader version]. N.p.: McGraw - Hill Education. Retrieved from https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/#/books/1259879895/cfi/6/14!/4/466/4@0:45.1

Convergence and Synergy. (2015, February 06). [Image]. Retrieved June 17, 2018, from https://mpwasmedia.wordpress.com/exam/the-music-industry-2/new-digital-technology/

Edutopia. (2013, May 07). Henry Jenkins on Participatory Culture (Big Thinkers Series). Retrieved June 17, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gPm-c1wRsQ

Understanding Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication. (2016, March 22). Retrieved June 17, 2018, from http://open.lib.umn.edu/mediaandculture/chapter/1-4-convergence/

Part 4 - Society Expects Technological Advancements to Deliver Information with CELERITY.

Technology over the past twenty years have altered society’s expectations of mass media and culture.  One such expectation that has fashioned society’s perspective of mass media is the celerity at which information, especially news is disseminated globally. Moreover, the birth of the internet has not only resulted in the dawn of digital technologies such as mobile and tablets but has also created avenues for “enhanced two-way communication,” easier and faster access to information via innumerable media advances (Normahfuzah Ahmad, n.d.). 

Ahmad (n.d.) further shares that new media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and the employment of smartphones have also brought challenges to news organizations to disseminate breaking, salacious news fast and now.  As a result, news organizations must employ digital tools that will compress time to facilitate news delivery with celerity or in a jiffy. This current speed at which information is disseminated has been of great beneficence to the development of culture. The beneficence is evident in the ability of mobile technologies to enhance the process of newsgathering instantaneously (Umair, 2016), the availability to view information anytime (users have freedom over space and time), providing variety and choice information and news constantly stay connected with news and increase participation among audiences and news outlets (Karehka Ramey, 2012).

To sum, technology has definitely altered society’s expectations and with a society that encompasses “digital natives” otherwise called “millennials,” expects news to be

• delivered instantaneously and
• simultaneously as it occurs anywhere in the world
• and they constantly check Social Media feeds, Google and Bing Alerts, ask questions of the A.I's  Siri, Cortana, and Alexia for breaking news.

With just one click of a button – celerity has created a culture of news immediacy junkies.  

References

Ahmad, N. (n.d.). The Decline of Conventional News Media and Challenges of Immersing in New Technology. 

eSharp, 25(1), 71-82. Retrieved May 5, 2018, from https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/media_529633_en.pdf.

Belam, M. (2010, April 14). "Journalism in the digital age: Trends, tools and technologies". Retrieved June 17, 2018, from https://www.theguardian.com/help/insideguardian/2010/apr/14/journalism-trends-tools-technologies  

Ramey, K. (2013, May 24). Advantages and Disadvantages of Communication Technology in an Organization. Retrieved June 22, 2018, from https://www.useoftechnology.com/advantages-disadvantages-communication-technology-organization/ 

IDG cloud computing survey: Security, integration challenge growth. (n.d.). [Image]. Retrieved June 17, 2018, from https://www.cloudcomputing-news.net/news/2013/aug/14/idg-cloud-computing-survey-security-integration-challenge-growth/

Part 3 - Technology & Communication: Adapt and Train. Journalists You Will Be Fine.

Is there a Change in Emerging Journalistic Practices?

In the last decade, the advances in technology has transformed every aspect of our lives and the inclusiveness of a plethora of social media platforms has made the construction of distinct online presences a phenomenon.  Consequently, the ability to identify good online branding practices and to employ them effectively and efficiently based on one’s individual branding needs is integral to the success a personal brand. Since the inception of social media platforms and mobile technologies one major emerging journalistic practice that has become integral to journalists is that of honing a "personal brand". 

Personal Branding for Journalist

Irina Petruca (2016) states that social media is “the best and easiest way to grow a personal identity, to establish a reputation and become visible in a specific industry or niche” and this is the ideal place for a personal brand to be “actualized.” Petruca (2016) further shares that individuals identify others through their brands and this is integral to how one desires to be perceived. Moreover, journalists have become cognizant that in the digitized era they must focus on online sources, employing new media tools for information gathering and dissemination, connection with audiences through citizen journalism, knowing how to identify and incorporate user generated content and enhancing their story telling techniques, whilst building their personal brand.  Additionally, Dawn Edmiston (2014) establishes that the initial step to creating an online presence is to begin with a personal mission statement and “brand promises”. This critical step creates the scaffold on which branding can be built and in journalism. Edmiston (2014) further highlights that: 

• It is important that an online identity is established, use your name.  
• Create all handles on social networks with personalized URLs.
• Develop content through the creation of blogs, postings and online articles.
• Actively network, monitor your brand, measure your online “klout" and engage the audience. 

The practices and/or strategies outlined in the sources have created the road map that is needed to begin the process of developing a personal brand that will cater to having a personal and professional online presence. "Your brand is your authentic self” and it takes persistence, time and effort to cultivate a strong personal brand. However, what limitations can arise from employing new technologies to devise a personal brand?  Sherry Moats (2015) highlights that the major limitations of mobile technologies are based on platform diversity – inconsistency with screen sizes, operating systems and browsers; privacy issues – social media platform creators, and marketers should provide clear and brief instructions to users about how to alter their privacy settings. Knowing ways around these limitations will aid in building a brand that leaves a lasting impression.

References  

Edmiston, D. (2014). Creating a Personal Competitive Advantage by Developing a Professional Online Presence. Marketing Education Review, 24(1), 21-24. doi:10.2753/MER1052-8008240103 

Guiseppi, Meg. (2017, April). "Your Online Reputation Precedes You: Make sure to craft a brand that will help you land your next job." HR Magazine, (62) 3, pp. 20-21.  Retrieved from https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0417/Pages/how-hr-pros-can-boost-their-brand-to-build-their-careers.aspx  

Joseph, K. (2015, May 12). How to Use Social Media to Build Your Personal Brand Online. [Image]. Retrieved June 01, 2018, from http://entremarketing.net/how-to-use-social-media-to-build-your-personal-brand-online/ 

Moats, S. (2015, February 9). Advantages and Disadvantages of Mobile Marketing. Retrieved June 22, 2018, from https://www.thebrandonagency.com/blog/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-mobile-marketing/

Petruca, I. (2016, December). Personal Branding Through Social Media. International Journal of Communication Research, 6(4), 389-392. Retrieved from http://ijcr.eu/articole/345_10%20Irina%20PETRUCA.pdf  

Part 2 - Technology & Communication: Adapt and Train. Journalists You Will Be Fine.

Are We All Journalists? 

Over the centuries, human beings have mastered the ability to not only augment the natural ways in which we communicate with each other, but also to create technological advancements that enrich and enhance man’s primal nature to communicate. In fact, according to Tim Pool (2015) "we are all journalist, we are all eyewitnesses" ... "we are citizen journalists."  In recent years, since the inception of social media, media outlets have been employing "citizen journalism" as a medium in the news gathering process. 

What is Citizen Journalism? 

Research reveals that 'citizen journalism' is the act of "a citizen or a group

of citizens who play an active role in the process of collecting, transmitting, analyzing and disseminating information" (Gustavo Adolfo León Duarte and Alonso Castillo Rivera, 2017).  This act of journalism, otherwise classified as a form of crowd sourcing, can be deemed both helpful and harmful to modern day journalism. It can be helpful in regards to offering diverse perspectives on stories permeating the media at any given time. It provide experts in selective fields and industries the opportunities to have their voices heard and views shared across on all accessible new media platforms. Trained journalists  who have handles on the major social media platforms can employ the comments/call to order options to access audiences who have valuable, well needed information to enhance a story or lead. Research, however suggest one important training that journalists need is being able to connect with citizen journalists. It is imperative that they establish their credibility and reputation when they highlight sources that have truthful, valid and factual information to share.  Journalists must also know how to curate, aggregate and attribute content effectively and efficiently.    

References

Bailey, J. (2015, January 8). A Brief Guide to Ethical Aggregation. Retrieved January 18, 2018, from https://www.plagiarismtoday.com/2015/01/08/a-brief-guide-to-ethical-aggregation/  

LEÓN-DUARTE, Gustavo & Rivera, Alonso. (2017). Between a rock and a hard place. Citizen journalism and journalistic ethics in Mexico. p.21-42, DOI: 10.1590/1809-5844201722.

TEDx Talks. (2011, May 14). Citizen journalism | Paul Lewis | TEDxThessaloniki. [YouTube]. Retrieved June 01, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9APO9_yNbcg

Test Tube Network. (2015, September 05). How The 21st Century Changed Journalism. [YouTube]. Retrieved June 01, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmFlKKOKenw   

Part 1 - Technology & Communication: Adapt and Train. Journalists You Will Be Fine.

Technology has changed our way of life and the world we live in tremendously. Its impact has resulted in innumerable vicissitudes, which have not only revolutionized the technological industry itself, but has also transformed and converged all aspects of the communication industry to embrace life in the digital age.  One sector in the communication field that has had to adapt to these pervasive technological advances is, journalism.   

Technology Literacy/Media Literacy 

It is possible to be a journalist today without knowledge of computer technology and the internet? Media literacy is a prerequisite to survive in the field of communications - no matter the field of specification. Researchers reveal, "proficiency in computer technology and the internet is central to the ability of journalists to do their jobs."  Journalists must be able to adapt to a new culture that is now spearheaded by social media and a strong cross cultural audience. It is also imperative for journalists to be able to navigate social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Google+ to name a few.  Additionally, the world wind exploitation of social media today – promotes integration of traditional multimedia with digital media formats. This convergence has given birth to mobile technologies; whereby creating communicative technologies that have paved ways for user generated content, individual content control, and the internet of things (IoT). Mobile technologies have impacted communication and news in such a way that an individual can “shoot, edit and upload” information in real time (Rima Marrouch, 2014).  Journalists have also discovered the beneficence of mobile technologies ability to:  

• increase communication among audiences and news outlets 
• improve network capabilities to ensure people are always connected  
• have a voice – citizen journalism.      

Mobile technologies, inclusive of IOT has paved the way forward in the 21st century; by, propelling journalists to become trained in all aspects of digital media in order to work in any news environment. In fact, the most important thing is mastering these digital tools. Mastery of digital tools will become the conduit to fuse new cultures and serve as a medium to engage the audience. Whereby, creating "connective journalism." 

References

Marrouch, R. (2014, March 4). How mobile phones are changing journalism practice in the 21st Century. Retrieved June 20, 2018, from https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/risj-review/how-mobile-phones-are-changing-journalism-practice-21st-century

Spyridou, L., Matsiola, M., Veglis, A., Kalliris, G., & Dimoulas, C. (2013). Journalism in a state of flux: Journalists as agents of technology innovation and emerging news practices. The International Communication Gazette, (1), 76. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsggo&AN=edsgcl.369249314&site=eds-live&scope=site

The Atlantic. (2014, August 08). How Is Social Media Changing Journalism? [YouTube]. Retrieved June 01, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7esKJDZqzQ