There is a definite cross referencing and linking between medias. As i researched for a story, i would see the same exact stories posted on every news site and newspaper just worded a little differently sometimes. It is all one big competition between these news networks to see who can have the biggest, most shocking story to gain viewers. If one network is on television showing an interview, that interview will then be transferred to Youtube, then a blog will be released about that interview with opinions. It is a great way to get a ton of information on a story and understand everyones perspective. I think this does have a big impact on the "target" audience because we are exposed to the stories more than once by all the media channels and whoever has the best facts or videos will get my views!
2) Fact checking, accuracy, and credibility: In your analysis, compare each media vehicle, and the effectiveness of the news reporting. Does the story vary in its facts from one vehicle to another? How is the information conveyed differently across the various mass media channels? Does the use of multimedia impact fact checking, accuracy, or credibility (in other words, how are news stories supported? What sources are cited to support their reporting?)
I really liked articles online on official newspaper websites compared to a normal newspaper, social network or blog. Yes, a newspaper has a great story with pictures and is sometimes a whole cover page in the paper but articles online have a different effect. I like that I can read the same exact story, see more pictures, go to videos of interviews and then click on links for more information on a certain person or anything else you need to know. It also shows you related stories after the article and anything else you may possibly be interested in. It is so easy and convenient especially for someone like me that has a ton of questions about every little thing. These online articles take exactly from the television newscasts so, they have legitimate information that can be trusted.
3) Multi-media reporting: In cases where a news agency has both an online and another media channel presence (for example, CNN has a cable channel, plus an online website), how is the message of the story conveyed? Is the story part of an ongoing news cycle (that is, part of an hourly or other periodic broadcast)? How is the news story presented in its online counterpart? Is there a difference in the way the story is covered online?
Just as I said earlier, media channels with both television newscasts and online always convey the same message. They have the same exact article, written word for word. I feel that the online articles do a little more though. On television, it seems like it is rushed and on a timed schedule because there is another story or breaking news that needs to be done. I also feel like reporters report on pointless topics about that certain story. For example, the news was talking about an earthquake that had just happened and then for the next hour, they were going through "tweets" of people on Twitter, reading what they said about the earthquake. I had no interest in what any of these people said. On the other hand, I like being able to read the same information reported, then seeing interviews about it, then looking through tons of pictures and lastly being able to research more on the topic.
4) The presence of Citizen Journalism. One example of this is where news media programs take video submitted from viewers' cell phones. Another example is where websites aggregate (compile) news stories from both major- and independent sources, such as CurrentTV (http://www.currenttv.com), or even YouTube.com. How does this form of journalism impact the user experience from the audience's perspective? Does the reporting (or video in this case) raise issues of ethics, especially in terms of privacy, or freedom of speech? Explain.
I believe the presence of Citizen Journalism impacts the user experience from the audiences perspective. Although I really like how some news medias compile all sorts of information from all over, I can see another side of it. Because they sometimes use videos or blogs, this can come out as only one perspective and opinion rather than a broader one. The ethics to the story can start to seem biased towards a viewer and feel as if we are not getting the true story because of all these blogs telling us something else. Websites can be stealing the authenticity of a news television network, conveying an audience with another side of the story rather than the real one. Lastly, videos from personal cellphone or anything else can be a violation of privacy to a person because it can be revealing information that others do not want the entire world to see. All videos that go onto Youtube are not all approved by a person that may be involved or seen in it so it goes against ethics and privacy.
All together, this research project has made me realize that the media tries to get as much information as they can from everywhere. With certain media channels there is going to be a certain biased opinion or another perspective than yours but that just makes you well rounded on the topic. It is great that we have so many sources to go to when we want to find out information on a topic. Although some cross link references or even raise issues of ethics or privacy, you have to remember it is the media. The media will do anything to get that number story and show the public every little detail and opinion. That is just how our society is.
