Convergence in the media is becoming more and more noticeable in the news today. News mediums are coming together and blurring the lines between different news outlets. This is certainly advantageous for consumers of the news.
For instance, to get the most up to date news, it is becoming increasingly more common for readers take to the internet and search on news websites. The L.A. Times is an example of how the convergence of media is taking place. On the homepage of the newspaper, readers are shown the latest stories along with options to share those stories via their choice of social networking sites with the simple click of a button whether it be Twitter, Google +, Tumbler or Facebook. The website is set up in a much more attractive way than traditional print newspapers. There are also interactive comment sections, which allow visitors to participate in discussions. Furthermore, readers can even comment on these stories by becoming members to the website. The page also has a section where visitors can add phone applications so that they may receive news alerts directly to their cell phones. These additions to the website allows for the possibility of these news stories to go viral and spread faster than ever before to virtually anywhere in the world. They are also becoming more and more common in the media, proving to be both helpful and necessary. With this convergence in media taking place, news is now nearly instantaneous and much more engaging than in the past.
Multimedia Journalism
Multimedia Journalism is essentially convergence taken to the next level. This type of journalism utilizes all types of media to tell a story. An excellent example of this at work is ESPN.com. The homepage has tabs that feature various sports that take readers to their respective main pages. There are also live scores that are on top of the screen. Big stories are headlined along the right-hand side and also feature videos and photo galleries. These pages typically show polls which can be taken by the visitors of the website. Further incorporating convergence, there is an online shopping option at the top corner of the website.
After yesterday’s basketball game featuring the L.A. Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, ESPN released a recap of the action along with exclusive interviews, video footage of the game, in-depth backstage interviews and press conference clips. Within the text there were multiple links that take readers to even more content. At the bottom of the story, there were social media links of both the writer and the players, along with a share button for readers to disperse to people in their networks. This serves as an easy form of advertisement. At the bottom of the page, there is an interactive comment section that allows for viewers to enter discussions with the other readers. The page also features additional related content that the reader might be interested in spread out within the page. Allowing more forms of media to converge in journalism gives the reader much more content as well as giving incentive for them to return and be engaged by the news.
Yes, lots of opportunities for interactivity, as a result of technological convergence. And I'm glad you touched on how the media are using social networking to broaden their audiences...we will talk about this in class later!
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