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