British Journalism Today

British Journalism Today provides an overview of the political, economic, and regulatory environments of press and broadcast journalism in Britain and Northern Ireland, examining the main trends in journalistic media over the last two decades and assessing the challenges and future of the industry. It covers topics such as multi-platform journalism, computational journalism, digital journalism, data journalism, the Leveson, News International, and Arab Spring debates, and new case studies on the role of the media in various events. It also looks at the evolving formal structure of news and whether journalism itself has been altered in the wake of UGC, social media, and other technology-driven trends.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

British Journalism Today is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the political, economic, and regulatory environments of press and broadcast journalism in Britain and Northern Ireland. It provides a thorough examination of the industry's recent developments and challenges, with a focus on the growth of multi-platform journalism, computational journalism, digital journalism, and data journalism. The book also explores major debates such as Leveson, News International, and the Arab Spring, as well as new case studies on the role of the media in various events, including the Madeleine McCann story, the UK general election of 2011, and the evolving formal structure of news.

The book's revised and updated edition includes contributions from both academic and journalistic perspectives, making it a valuable resource for students, professionals, and anyone interested in the field of journalism. It covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of UGC, social media, and other technology-driven trends on journalism, and explores how these trends have altered the concept of journalism itself.

One of the key themes of British Journalism Today is the growth of multi-platform journalism. With the rise of social media, online platforms, and mobile devices, journalists are now able to reach a wider audience than ever before. This has led to a greater diversity of content and a more interactive form of journalism, with readers and viewers able to engage with stories in real-time. However, it has also raised concerns about the quality of journalism, with some critics arguing that the emphasis on speed and quantity has led to a decline in the quality of reporting.

Computational journalism is another important trend in journalism. It involves the use of algorithms and data analysis to produce news stories. This has led to the development of new forms of journalism, such as data journalism, which focuses on the analysis of large datasets to uncover hidden patterns and trends. However, it has also raised concerns about the potential for bias and the use of data to manipulate public opinion.

Digital journalism is another important trend in journalism. It involves the use of digital technologies to produce and distribute news stories. This has led to the development of new forms of journalism, such as online news sites, social media, and mobile apps. However, it has also raised concerns about the impact of digital media on traditional media outlets, with some newspapers and magazines struggling to survive in the digital age.

Data journalism is a new form of journalism that focuses on the analysis of large datasets to uncover hidden patterns and trends. It has been used to investigate a wide range of topics, including the Arab Spring, the Madeleine McCann story, and the UK general election of 2011. However, it has also raised concerns about the potential for bias and the use of data to manipulate public opinion.

Leveson, News International, and other major debates following the 2011 phone-hacking scandal have had a significant impact on journalism in Britain. The scandal revealed the extent of corruption and unethical practices in the media industry, and led to the establishment of the Leveson Inquiry, which recommended a series of reforms to the industry. These reforms have included the introduction of a new regulatory body, the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), which has the power to regulate the press and hold journalists accountable for their actions.

New case studies on the role of the media in various events have also been included in British Journalism Today. These case studies include the Madeleine McCann story, the UK general election of 2011, and the Arab Spring. The Madeleine McCann story was a high-profile case that involved the disappearance of a three-year-old girl from a holiday resort in Portugal. The story was covered extensively by the media, and led to a number of conspiracy theories and false accusations. The UK general election of 2011 was a closely contested election that saw the Conservative Party win a majority of seats in the House of Commons. The media played a significant role in the election, with both parties using social media and other digital technologies to reach voters. The Arab Spring was a series of protests and uprisings that took place in several Arab countries in 2011. The media played a significant role in the protests, with many journalists reporting on the events and providing a platform for the protesters to express their views.

In addition to these topics, British Journalism Today also includes a new chapter looking at the evolving formal structure of news. This chapter explores how the concept of journalism has changed in the wake of UGC, social media, and other technology-driven trends. It looks at the rise of new genres and types of news, such as citizen journalism, live streaming, and podcasting, and examines how these genres and types have impacted the way that news is produced and consumed.

One of the challenges facing journalism in the future is the impact of UGC, social media, and other technology-driven trends. These trends have led to a greater diversity of content and a more interactive form of journalism, but they have also raised concerns about the quality of journalism. UGC, for example, can be a source of misinformation and fake news, and social media can be a platform for hate speech and harassment.

To address these challenges, journalists need to be more vigilant in their reporting and more transparent in their sourcing. They also need to be more aware of the impact that their reporting can have on society and to take steps to ensure that their reporting is accurate, fair, and unbiased.

In conclusion, British Journalism Today is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the political, economic, and regulatory environments of press and broadcast journalism in Britain and Northern Ireland. It provides a thorough examination of the industry's recent developments and challenges, with a focus on the growth of multi-platform journalism, computational journalism, digital journalism, and data journalism. The book's revised and updated edition includes contributions from both academic and journalistic perspectives, making it a valuable resource for students, professionals, and anyone interested in the field of journalism. By addressing these challenges, journalists can help to ensure that the media remains a vital and trusted source of information for society.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138808577
Edition number: 6 New edition