Diversity of Opinions in the Press - Essay Example

?Diversity of Opinions in the Press Introduction: There are lots of a different of views present today about the diversity of opinions in the press; many believe that diversity of opinions is still mandatory in the press, while others have different ideas in this regard. As they believe that newspapers are now out dated and are too slow in terms of providing news and views to the public. Furthermore, newspapers have less magnitude in terms of diversification as compared with the social media websites or blogs. As a result print media industry around the world is facing serious financial turmoil because of the internet (and web 2.0 technologies) or social media websites and blogs and are continuously losing their market. As more users are turning towards opting new technologies and social media websites, and are showing reluctant behaviour towards reading newspapers. One possible reason for less circulation of newspaper today can be because of the ease that technology has provided. As with the innovations in the technology and the ease it provided for the masses in terms of using electronic gadgets, mobile phones and connecting online, the productivity of newspapers and print media have undergone decreases. More people are relying on internet and social media websites for the purpose of news, with it they are always connected to the internet and can read timely news, as this new medium (internet) is believe to be the fastest source of providing information or serving the purpose of communication. Furthermore, this medium also enhances the concept of diversification of opinion, as users around the world feel connected with each other and can share their views with the masses in no time. Moreover they can read or listen to the views posted by others, which at times gives them new perception to think about the same issue (Van Djick, 2009). Current Situation: Likewise in a recent past majority of newspapers from the United Kingdom and America were forced to follow the downsizing policy (2008). As a result significant numbers of employees who were working for the different newspapers were terminated, many prophesized the reasons behind these terminations were financial crisis, whereas others convicted internet and social media websites for these firings in the print media industry (Compton and Benedetti, 2010). However, there are many who have different perception in this regard, these individuals optimistically analyze these situations and believe that albeit social media websites and blogs have resulted in confining the role of newspapers and magazines but it has also resulted in providing more information and a variety of difference of opinions for the viewers (Compton and Benedetti, 2010). Meanwhile, it took a while in order to confine the long run and monopoly of newspapers and print media, as the relatively new medium (internet) is garnering more importance on the daily basis and conditions are ameliorating (Compton and Benedetti, 2010). At present print media is facing deteriorating conditions, majority of newspapers around the world are devising strategies in order to cope up with the financial turmoil and are also keen on enhancing or increasing their newspaper circulations. For instance, newspaper industry in the United Kingdom and North America reflect the situation of turmoil as many newspapers are facing bankruptcy, or are in a position where it is hard to manage their current expenses because of high cost involved in the system, there are some who ended their journey in this regard and some are knocking the doors or are in the verge of facing a serious collapse. Some prominent names of the newspaper industry of America, which were enlightening and were sharing difference of opinions over the passage of time, are the best examples of this catastrophe. American newspaper Denver's Rocky Mountain News are history, on the other hand, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times are amongst those newspapers which are facing serious financial catastrophe or in other words are facing bankruptcy, whereas, “The New York Times” is amongst the newspapers that are teetering on the verge of insolvency (Compton and Benedetti, 2010). Moreover, another important development in the newspaper industry has been seen in a recent past, which in many ways is affecting the concept of diversity of opinion in the newspapers. As many Australian newspapers are now adopting policy of content sharing amongst each other. Or in other words they are amalgamating with other newspapers and are producing same kind of news for the masses. In simple words these newspaper have signed contract, and are now working collectively. Furthermore, they are swapping stories between them (Dood, 2012). For instance, the Herald Sun and Leader newspaper group in Melbourne are following the practices of trade off of stories between themselves and up to major extent with their sister companies as well (Dood, 2012). This strategy is working in favour of these newspapers as they can now balance and muzzle their expenditures in terms of hunting for the news and can further control miscellaneous expenditures. However, in the context of diversification of views this strategy is totally against this perception or view. As the readers are walled against limited point of view or input that is put forward by these newspapers because of swapping of stories (Dood, 2012). In my view this strategy is likely to affect the circulation of newspaper in Melbourne. As consumers or readers these days are more inclined towards a variety of opinion for the same subject or story. So that they can develop better understanding of the matter and can evaluate on the basis of diversification. Furthermore analysis carried out by the different people or think tanks in this regard possess great help for them, as this purpose these days is very much served by internet and social media websites. Which not only works as a facilitator of difference of opinion, but is also acting or serving as a source of effective and rapid communicator. Diversity of Opinions with Reference to Conventional (Press) and Modern Medium (Social Media): Diversity of opinion in general is the concept that flourishes under democracy. At present when the world is facing globalization diversity of opinion is not only the need of an hour but it is inevitable most of the times because of the advent of social media websites and internet. Democratic societies are directly or indirectly dependent upon the diversity of opinions, views, ideas, cognitions and visions. Nowadays democratic societies are more diversified in terms of opinions and knowledge sharing. This phenomenon of diversity of opinion is further boosted with the advent of social media websites. As the flow of information over the internet and social media websites is rapid and quick. Within a span of few seconds one shares his views and opinions over these social websites. This in the past was not the case. As diversity of opinion (with respect to print media) was initially controlled and manoeuvre by some editorialists and columnist of the newspaper. Albeit during early times the significant role played by the press is remarkable, in terms of presenting the different point of views for the general public, educating the masses and developing sense of social cognition. However, its role was getting decreased as the advent of Radio and TV has resulted in major shift of people using and relying on these new mediums for fulfilling their different purposes. These purposes include entertainment, education, knowledge, news, current affairs and many more. Furthermore, these new mediums were equipped with more enhanced diversity of opinions. As the option of live participation through telephones made these mediums more diversified (Jenkins, 1992). However, it was matter of few years when newspaper, TV and Radio were overthrown by Internet, a relatively new medium in comparison with the above mentioned print and electronic mediums. The advent of internet has revolutionized this world and is a major source of globalization. News agencies around the world have adopted this medium in order to stay connected with the masses and to spread their news and views over internet. Comparing this medium with the print media in terms of diversification of opinion is relatively easy task. As newspaper is more time consuming and has less user interface, plus difference of opinions can be counted on fingers, however in terms of internet and social media websites, these difference of opinion at time exceeds great numbers. Because each individual has power not only to read the point of view but also to add his difference of opinion if he has any (Jenkins, 2006). This is one of the prime reasons that newspapers are losing their businesses and grip in terms of market shares, as people nowadays are more inclined towards using this new medium with easy accessibility and quick to input methodology. As can be seen from the example quoted above in this paper that newspapers or print media is struggling to survive in the present era, majority of the print media tycoons are under immense stress as they are at times caught in a situation where their survival is at stakes. Moreover it can be seen from various different researches that the amounts of internet users are increasing on the daily basis. Social media websites and blogs are enhancing their market share which ultimately means that people are opting for these social media websites because of varieties of different reasons, out of which diversity of opinion is an important one (Lambarena, 2010). On the other hand, if we consider print media in this regard the figures and stats shows that these mediums are struggling to cope up with the pace of the world. As the concept of reading newspapers before breakfast are almost eradicating these days. This means that people are transforming with respect to time in terms of making their choices, and are adopting new mediums for enhancing their knowledge and for the purpose of diversification of knowledge. However there are still a large number of people who believe that role of print media in terms of providing diversification of opinion is necessary. As they believe that through print media controlled information is given which most of the time is accurate as compared to other sources where flow of information is too much dependent upon the advertisements these days. Conversely the active numbers of current users of newspapers are old people, as new generation is more inclined towards using electronic mediums for this purpose (Scannell, 1997). Credibility of Contemporary (newspaper) and Modern Medium (Internet and Social Media Website): The information present on the social media websites and internet at times is not credible. Moreover, difference of opinion posted over social media websites is not authentic. One can easily manipulate the flow of information or create propaganda against particular group or person with ease. In simple words credibility over the social medium is a big issue these days. Whereas in terms of print media the difference of opinion posted over newspapers and the news are credible and reliable. However, if there are any kinds of misconduct in this regard one can hold newspaper or print media liable or accountable. This is the prime factor that difference of opinion over print media is necessary. As the sources are legitimate and credible, furthermore they are professional handled in many regards (Keen, 2007). Moreover because of social media and internet, it has given birth to the concept of citizen journalist. According to which anyone can be journalist provided the fact they are on the spot and are able to record or report news or events which can affect or influence masses. These journalists on social media websites and internet at times further worsen the situation or issues. Because they are not well trained and are not aware of the journalistic ethics and code of conducts. Furthermore, they have less sense of news as compared with the professional journalist. At times these citizen journalists post something that is against national interest. Likewise they can also be a precipitating factor in terms of raging war or dispute within the society by posting something which is against some particular sect or community. As the sense of choosing what is favourable for posting and what content is harmful is missing most of the times. Therefore, in my view difference of opinion in print media is still the need of the day as the need of professionals is still required in order to avoid catastrophic situations in the future (Sorensen, 2009). Conclusion: Diversity of opinion in the press is still the need of the world as there is a famous proverb “ In Rome do as the Romans do” therefore need of professional journalists or professionals is always mandatory in order to balance the views. However one cannot deny the fact that the circulation of print media is losing its market share as people are turning towards new technology and new medium for the purpose of seeking information and for the purpose of difference of opinion. But there are some concerns and insecurities related to using these mediums. The first and prime most concern is the issue of credibility as the information spread over this medium at time is not credible or reliable. Similarly concept of citizen journalism is another thing which should be muzzled in order to accurately spread the difference of opinion over both mediums. References Compton, J., and Benedetti, P. (2010). Labour, new media and the institutional restructuring of journalism. Journalism Studies, vol. 13, no. 5-6, pp. 663-681. Available from http://www.caerdydd.ac.uk/jomec/.../foj2009-Compton-Benedetti.pdf [Accessed 13 November 2012] Dood, A. (2012). The week media diversity was mortally wounded. Available from http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/4083152.html [Accessed 14 November 2012] Jenkins, H. (1992). Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture. New York: Routledge. Jenkins, H. (2006). Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Keen, A. (2007). The Cult of the Amateur: How the Democratization of the Digital World is Assaulting Our Economy, Our Culture, and Our Values. New York: Doubleday Currency Lambarena, M. (2010). Professionally social: using social media for professional (research) communication. Available from http://www.google.com.pk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CBwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.languageatwork.eu%2Fdownloads%2FLAW%2520Professionally_Social-Using_social_media_for_professional_research_communication_.pdf&ei=YQqlUOXmHI-ShgfqjYC4Ag&usg=AFQjCNFqH0T-L5j3xQ8pWm1sRqVUmWOtWw [Accessed 13 November 2012] Scannell, P. (1997). Public service broadcasting and modern public life. In Media Studies Reader, by O'Sullivan, T and Jewkes, Y., pp. 60-71. Sorensen, A. (2009). Social media and personal blogging: textures, routes, and patterns. Journal of Media and Communication Research, vol. 25, no. 47. Available from http://ojs.statsbiblioteket.dk/index.php/mediekultur/article/view/1698 [Accessed 13 November 2012] Van Djick, J. (2009). Users like you? Theorising agency in user-generated content. Media, Culture, and Society, vol. 31, no. 1, pp. 41-58 Read More