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Mahon, James
(2021).
Abstract
This study examines the impact of smartphone technology on the practices of broadcast journalists in a select number of newsrooms in different continents. The research comprises two main elements: a mobile video documentary; and a written analysis of mobile journalism with a reflection and discussion on the data collected from each site. The research demonstrates that mobile journalism has proven to be variously a solution, a disruption, a reaction and a tool, influenced by both economic and societal trends that affect newsgathering processes.
The video submission involved 20 days of content gathering and fieldwork from four newsrooms in India, USA, Scotland and Switzerland. The research drew on 30 interviews with news editors, mobile journalists, media academics and TV news producers examining their experiences of transitions to mobile journalism and its subsequent impacts. The documentary output of the study is a fly-on-the-wall observational style piece incorporating talking heads with little on screen interference from myself. This approach allowed the interviewees to dictate the flow of the film and bring the viewer on a journey into the journalist’s worlds in their evolving digital newsrooms.
I began the doctoral journey as a product of mobile journalism as well as a supporter of its implementation and have solo shot, edited and produced the piece using the same technology utilized by the journalistic practitioners who are the focus of the submission. This allowed me the academic space to analyse, alter my practice throughout the content gathering stage, and in turn reflect upon this. Based upon the creative journey I have undertaken I have become more critical of Mojo and this study provides evidence of some of the concerns and fears that were previously never recognised or acknowledged from me as a practitioner turned researcher. The equipment used throughout the fieldwork included iPhone and iPod devices as part of mobile journalism (Mojo) kits. The video submission stands as the creative practice element of the study.
Some of the findings demonstrate a greater risk of alienation for media practitioners, the transformative but disruptive impact of mobile technology on reporters and the knock-on effects this has for journalistic identity. The study showed that while Mojo is proving a cost-effective approach to create, share and broadcast TV and digital news with fewer employees, it is exposing journalists to increased workloads while they become more isolated from newsrooms, under pressure to constantly upskill and reskill or be left behind, as broadcasting becomes more mobile technology dependent.
These findings contrast with previous views held by the researcher who no longer supports full Mojo implementation and the study provides guidance for news organisations and educators on how to adopt a more blended approach to newsgathering, one that is supportive and inclusive rather than letting technology dictate newsroom changes.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
