the inside story

The above audio is an interview I conducted with Jeff Corbett, a journalist and blogger for the Newcastle Herald. In the interview I explore the effects of technology on journalism, particularly whether technology impedes or improves journalism. Below, I have included some of the research that I undertook in preparation for the interview.

Evidence of research

Subject strand:

“Technological tail-spinning,” from week six of the CMNS3420 course. See Chapter 15 of “Journalism Theory and Practice,” (Tapsall & Varley, 2001).

Purpose:

To seek an answer to my question: “Does technology improve or impede journalism?” by asking someone within the industry for their insight on the subject.
Choice of interviewee:

Jeff Corbett, journalist for the Newcastle Herald. Jeff is widely recognised throughout the Hunter due to his regular opinion pieces and reporting for the Herald. Most importantly, he works with both print and online media. He has worked for many years in the industry (and is very practiced at giving opinions), and is therefore in a very good position to comment on the effects of technology on journalism.

Date and time:

15th October, 10am, at Jeff’s office.
Angle:

It is hard to determine the angle of the interview exactly, as I can not be sure where the interviewee will take it. However for my angle I will be suggesting that online media engages more people, but questioning whether this is degrading the quality of journalism. By the end of the interview I intend for this claim to be either confirmed or denied.


To achieve this, I have the following outline planned, which I will use as a general guide only:

(introduction)


As many of our listeners would be aware, the face of journalism has been changing with the introduction of new technology. I’m talking about the internet, blogging, and online articles. But does this impede or improve journalism? Here to speak with me is Jeff Corbett, journalist and blogger for the Newcastle Herald. Jeff, thanks for being here.
(questions)


You work in both print and online media- do you have a preference?
Do you find there is much difference between the two?

How would you say the content of blogs compares to hard journalism? Would you say that the standard is the same (not the delivery, but the subjects)?

I noticed that your online blogs receives anything from 20 up to 100 or more comments from readers- sometimes within 24 hours of you posting them. Do you think that this shows that more people engage with online media? Would you say this is a good thing?

Do you think your work benefits from this interaction?

Program or publication format:

Triple J’s Hack (“shoving the J into journalism”). The show goes to air each weekday at 5:30pm. According to their website, Hack delivers the most relevant stories of the day from the unique - and often surprising - viewpoint of young Australians.

Intended audience:

The young Australians who commonly comprise Hack’s audience, who are interested in the effect new media has on quality journalism.
Outline of the process:

1. Find a story.

2. Conduct preliminary research.

3. Contact interviewee, request and arrange interview.

4. Conduct in-depth research including preparation of questions.

5. Book and retrieve Marantz recorder.

6. Conduct interview.

7. Return Marantz recorder.

8. Submit assignment.

Background research

Bibliography:

Brand, J., & Roald, Severin. (2000), “Information and Communication Technologies”, in Johnston & Zawawi (eds), Public Relations Theory and Practice, 2nd edn, Allen and Unwin, Crows Nest NSW.

Conley, D., & Lamble, S, (2006), “Online news: journalism’s strands converge,” The Daily Miracle, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Stanton, R. (2007), Media Relations, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
Tapsall, S., & Varley, C. (eds), (2001), “Technological Tailspinning,” Journalism Theory and Practice, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Tapsall, S., & Varley, C. (eds), (2001), “Journalism in the global village,” Journalism Theory and Practice, Oxford University Press, Melbourne.


Earley, D., (2009) “501 Australian Journalists and News Media People on Twitter”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:08pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/07/04/501-australian-journalists-and-news-media-people-on-twitter/
Earley, D., (2009) “Decline? Yes. Fall? Maybe not”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:10pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/10/16/decline-and-fall/

Earley, D., (2009) “Value archived news”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:20pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/09/04/value-archived-news/

Earley, D., (2009) “The pear analytics twitter ‘babble’”, The Earley Edition, retrieved 12/10/10 3:30pm, at http://earleyedition.com/2009/08/18/the-pear-analytics-twitter-babble/

Triple J, (2010), Hack, retrieved 12/10/10 2:33pm, at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/

Triple J, (2010), “Is the internet re-wiring our brains?”, Hack, retrieved 12/10/10 2:35pm, at http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/stories/s3027019.htm