This week we will explore chapter 15 of the text book – “The media is the message”
This chapter discusses the idea that a journalistic process is now broken down into several steps that are “up for grabs” (Tapsall, 2001, p.251). The journalist’s role is now only one part of the journalistic process. There is now according to Tapsall a distinct separation of news content and news packaging and this results in more attention being given to the packaging rather than the quality of the content.
The theory of technological determinism is discussed – and this can be a positive or negative perspective. Within this field of thought there are several sub-theories about the social ramifications of technology:
Technological utopianism/dystopianism - there is an overall consent that technological change drives social change.
The technological imperitive – this theory looks at technology as inescapable and inevitable. The use of technology is more because we have to and we cope with it – rather than embracing the technology for benefits. There is no choice of technological use in this theory.
Technology as autonomous and neutral – technology is autonomous and is “blindly shaping society” (Tapsall, 2001, p.240). This theory says that because this technology now exists and there are now these possibilities – we use it to our advantage.
Technology in progress – technology and progress are equated. One brings about the other. People who don’t adopt technology are seen as standing in the way of technological change and revolutions.
Social determination of technology – technology and society are caused by multiple actions.
I believe that technology drives society (although obviously it is not the only cause) and society drives technology. They are interdependent for progress to occur.
Tapsall says that journalists that are the ‘jack of all trades and masters of none” will become less and specialist journalists will increase, playing their part in the news production process – which is intertwined with technology.
The chapter finishes with a statement that journalism will not be respected unless there is a real and passionate commitment at all levels of the news organisation to the delivery of news that is in the public’s interest.
References:
Tapsall S, 2001, ‘The media is the message’, Tapsall S and Varley C, Journalism: Theory in Practice, Oxford University Press, New York, pp.235 - 253.
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3 comments:
Did you also find that the textbook was painfully out of date? I don't know about you, but the idea of reading a chapter on the importance of technology written in 2001 doesn't exactly scream relevant to me.
hm yes - very good point there Dom
Heather, Dom - I felt the same. The fact that we were reading a chapter about the progression of technology which was written in 2001 was a bit alarming and hard to fathom.
Heather, I also liked your point about technology driving society. I agree with you, that they (society and technology) "are interdependent for progress to occur". Where would we be without technology. And where will we end up with it !?
One more point: the current trend for journalists to be a jack of all trades and a master of none, I believe, is only going to become worse. Already we live in a world where journalists write stories from the business section, to the court reports, to sport, jack of all trades and master of none - you're not wrong !! This obviously benefits the owner/payer/etc but does it benefit society?? Or are we, as consumers of the news that journalists bring to us, being disadvantaged?
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