The following
annotated bibliography focuses on the explosion of digital media, the impact of
‘new media’ in today’s society, and what it means for ‘heritage media’. Sources
include a journal article from Australian Journalism Review, an address from
the ABC Director of Television, an online news article from the Dubai Press
Club, and a print article from The Australian.
O’Donnell, P. (2009). That’s Gold! Thinking About
Excellence In Australian Journalism. Australian
Journalism Review. 31(2). 47-60.
Author Dr. Penny O’Donnell is currently the Senior Lecturer in
International Media at the University of Sydney. She has also had many works
published including various journal articles and even her own books. This lends
substantial credibility to the article ‘That’s Gold! Thinking About Excellence
In Australian Journalism’. The article examines the Walkley Awards of
excellence in Australian journalism, in particular the integration of awards
for digital media. In 2009, a new category was announced for ‘Best Online
Journalism’. O’Donnell attributes this to the ‘”growing industry importance
Australian journalism; one of O’Donnell’s favourite research interests
(University of Sydney, 2012). The findings of O’Donnell’s Walkley Award
research conclude that between 1988-2008, print journalists have been awarded
the Gold Walkley over ten times. An online journalist is yet to win a Gold
Walkey, however O’Donnell speculates that this may soon change as many
newspapers become multi-platform. Throughout the article, O’Donnell maintains
an objective tone; she is not biased towards any particular media platform, she
just respects quality journalism, no matter the platform. This contrasts to
other coverage of the issue, which leans considerably towards the rise of
digital media (and subsequently the ‘death’ of print media). The credibility of
this article is irrefutable, due to the fact that it was published in the
Australian Journalism Review.
Dalton, K. (ABC
Director of Television). (2009, November 4). Kanz Broadband Summit, Digital Media Opportunities, Digital Media
Initiatives. [Address transcript]. Auckland, New Zealand. ABC.
Kim Dalton has been the ABC Director of
Television since his appointment in 2006. In 2007 he was awarded the Medal of
the Order of Australia for his service to the film and television industry.
This address from the Korea-Australia-New Zealand (KANZ) Broadband Summit in
2009 focuses on the effect that digital media will have on Free To Air
television. Dalton acknowledges that television is now available in many
platforms – the traditional television, Internet television, and streaming to
mobile phones. He stresses the importance of the National Broadband Network
(NBN) and its role in the “new era of converged entertainment.” Dalton’s
address is slightly biased towards the traditional viewing of television; this
is presumably because he is the ABC’s Director of Television. However, rather
than viewing the new platforms as a burden on traditional Free to Air
television, Dalton seems to accept these advancements in technology as
necessary. He also discusses the opportunities for digital media. For example:
a harmonisation of platforms, rather than digital media simply overruling Free
to Air television. This address is similar to O’Donnell’s opinion of digital
media; that it is not the only way of the future, but it is something that
journalism needs to adapt to, to keep up in this “digital age.”
Experts at Arab Media Forum 2012 concur electronic
media is reshaping traditional journalism. (2012, May 8). Dubai Press Club. Retrieved from http://www.ameinfo.com/experts-arab-media-forum-2012-concur-299788
This article focuses on the opinions of those who attended the 2012 Arab
Media Forum (AMF 2012). Moderators of the forum included Professors from the
United Arab Emirates University and writers from Arab newspapers. The forum
discussed the relevance of multi-faceted journalism due to social media. The
article discusses the impact of social media on traditional media. Opinions
from moderators of the forum are the only ones included in the article, leading
it to be slightly biased. No opinions are included from anyone who believed
that digital media is not affecting traditional journalism. This article
differs from the viewpoints of O’Donnell and Dalton; the article implies that
digital media is the only way forward for journalism, and that traditional
media will be rendered useless. The (unknown) author of the article has used persuasive
language to convince readers of their viewpoint. The article also relies
largely on quotes from the moderators of the forum, who are quoted as
‘experts’. This is most likely to make the article appear more credible.
However, some of the article’s credibility is compromised, as the author is
unknown.
Bodey, M. (2012, March 29). Online media revenue to boom but offline will dominate till 2015:
Google. The Australian. Retrieved
from http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/online-media-revenue-to-boom-but-offline-will-dominate-till-2015-google/story-e6frg996-1226312901397
Author
Michael Bodey is a media writer for The Australian. He has previously worked as
arts and media editor for The Daily Telegraph and film critic for The Age. The
article “Online media revenue to boom but offline will dominate till 2015:
Google” focuses on results of a media report conducted by the Boston Consulting
Group. The report showed that the online media sector will contribute to more
than half of the expected $4.3 billion growth from 2011 to 2015. However the
report predicts that ‘offline’ media will account for around 86% of revenue
until 2015. The article relies
mostly on data and quotes from the report, as well as the opinion of Google
Australia and New Zealand’s managing director Nick Leeder. This article differs
from the opinons of the three previous sources, as both O’Donnell and Dalton
lean towards traditional media, and the above source leans toward digital media.
Bodey has managed to deliver a balanced article; it acknowledges the boom in
online media, but still remains realistic about the reign of traditional media
for at least a few years to come. The article is shown to be even more unbiased
as Bodey himself is an advocate of online media; frequently using a Twitter
account, like many of today’s journalists who have adapted to the digital age.
