Use of the internet in newsgathering : a case study of The Post newspaper in Zambia
- Authors: Hamachila, Alphonsius
- Date: 2013-06-10
- Subjects: Post (Lusaka, Zambia) Electronic news gathering -- Zambia -- Case studies Journalism -- Data processing -- Zambia -- Case studies Reporters and reporting -- Zambia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008075
- Description: The Internet and World Wide Web have become dominant newsgathering tools in a sholi period of time. While the body of research, particularly in the First World, has developed quickly along with the Web, many unanswered questions remain on how journalists in developing countries make use of the Internet for newsgathering purposes. This study combined social constructivist theory with the socio-organisational and cultural approaches to news production in order to critically investigate how journalists at The Post newspaper in Zambia relate to, and make use of, the Internet as a newsgathering resource, in the context of Third World conditions. The study critiqued technological detelminism perspectives on journalists' use of the new information technology. The technological determinism theory, which has largely been advanced by some scholars from the developed world, takes a celebratory approach to journalists' use of the Internet in the newsroom. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews and observations, the study established that while journalists at The Post acknowledged the lnternet's potential in news gathering, factors such as unreliable telecommunications infrastructure, poor Internet skills, lack of local content on the World Wide Web, and organisational and occupational demands inhibited the use of the Internet as a journalistic newsgathering resource. The study established further that online reporting is only a tool within the broader news gathering and production process; and in the case of The Post, it does not replace the traditional news gathering techniques used by journalists, particularly direct contacts with human sources. The respondents cited face-to-face interviews, a traditional means of newsgathering, as the main driving force in news gathering routines at the newspaper. However, although the respondents saw some mixed blessings in the Internet as a reporting tool, they also believed that the benefits outweighed the problems. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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- Authors: Hamachila, Alphonsius
- Date: 2013-06-10
- Subjects: Post (Lusaka, Zambia) Electronic news gathering -- Zambia -- Case studies Journalism -- Data processing -- Zambia -- Case studies Reporters and reporting -- Zambia -- Case studies
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3518 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008075
- Description: The Internet and World Wide Web have become dominant newsgathering tools in a sholi period of time. While the body of research, particularly in the First World, has developed quickly along with the Web, many unanswered questions remain on how journalists in developing countries make use of the Internet for newsgathering purposes. This study combined social constructivist theory with the socio-organisational and cultural approaches to news production in order to critically investigate how journalists at The Post newspaper in Zambia relate to, and make use of, the Internet as a newsgathering resource, in the context of Third World conditions. The study critiqued technological detelminism perspectives on journalists' use of the new information technology. The technological determinism theory, which has largely been advanced by some scholars from the developed world, takes a celebratory approach to journalists' use of the Internet in the newsroom. Using qualitative semi-structured interviews and observations, the study established that while journalists at The Post acknowledged the lnternet's potential in news gathering, factors such as unreliable telecommunications infrastructure, poor Internet skills, lack of local content on the World Wide Web, and organisational and occupational demands inhibited the use of the Internet as a journalistic newsgathering resource. The study established further that online reporting is only a tool within the broader news gathering and production process; and in the case of The Post, it does not replace the traditional news gathering techniques used by journalists, particularly direct contacts with human sources. The respondents cited face-to-face interviews, a traditional means of newsgathering, as the main driving force in news gathering routines at the newspaper. However, although the respondents saw some mixed blessings in the Internet as a reporting tool, they also believed that the benefits outweighed the problems. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
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The safety of journalists: an assessment of perceptions of the origins and implementation of policy at two international television news agencies
- Authors: Venter, Sahm
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Reuters Television , Associated Press Television News , Journalism -- Safety measures , Journalists -- Protection , News agencies -- Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002946 , Reuters Television , Associated Press Television News , Journalism -- Safety measures , Journalists -- Protection , News agencies -- Safety measures
- Description: Being a journalist today can be a deadly pursuit, particularly for those covering conflict and other dangerous assignments. In 2004 more journalists and other media workers were killed than in the last ten years. While it is impossible to guarantee that journalists will not be killed or injured, kidnapped or detained, a policy has been created to help protect them in the course of their duties. This study examines the perceptions of journalists working for two international television news agencies about this safety policy called the ‘Joint code of practice for journalists working in conflict zones’. This policy was adopted in November 2000 by five major television companies including the television news agencies Reuters Television and Associated Press Television News. This study finds that the policy had significant flaws in how it was formulated and how it is communicated, implemented and reviewed. Recognising the existence of unequal relations of power and conflicting interests at play in any policy process, this study stresses that in the case of the journalist safety policy, all stakeholders should have participated in the relevant policy stages. This argument arises from researching the policy document as well as from the point of view of managers, and particularly journalists who work on dangerous assignments, either full-time or on a freelance basis for either of the two television news agencies. It finds that while journalists are not generally aware of the policy, they do practice many of its elements as well as a range of their own custom-made strategies to protect themselves. The result is to make the policy less effective than it could be.
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- Authors: Venter, Sahm
- Date: 2005
- Subjects: Reuters Television , Associated Press Television News , Journalism -- Safety measures , Journalists -- Protection , News agencies -- Safety measures
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3491 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002946 , Reuters Television , Associated Press Television News , Journalism -- Safety measures , Journalists -- Protection , News agencies -- Safety measures
- Description: Being a journalist today can be a deadly pursuit, particularly for those covering conflict and other dangerous assignments. In 2004 more journalists and other media workers were killed than in the last ten years. While it is impossible to guarantee that journalists will not be killed or injured, kidnapped or detained, a policy has been created to help protect them in the course of their duties. This study examines the perceptions of journalists working for two international television news agencies about this safety policy called the ‘Joint code of practice for journalists working in conflict zones’. This policy was adopted in November 2000 by five major television companies including the television news agencies Reuters Television and Associated Press Television News. This study finds that the policy had significant flaws in how it was formulated and how it is communicated, implemented and reviewed. Recognising the existence of unequal relations of power and conflicting interests at play in any policy process, this study stresses that in the case of the journalist safety policy, all stakeholders should have participated in the relevant policy stages. This argument arises from researching the policy document as well as from the point of view of managers, and particularly journalists who work on dangerous assignments, either full-time or on a freelance basis for either of the two television news agencies. It finds that while journalists are not generally aware of the policy, they do practice many of its elements as well as a range of their own custom-made strategies to protect themselves. The result is to make the policy less effective than it could be.
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