Because the news business has changed—and continues to evolve—so has this text. Written by the person who has overseen the major industry research for the past 18 years, the latest edition looks into the future of news by exploring the business of news. Citing the latest data and trends, the book takes a hard look at where the industry stands and where it appears to be headed.
• A new Chapter 15 on Social Media and News discusses the ins and outs of how news organizations reach their audiences via Facebook, Twitter and other media platforms. The chapter includes statistics on the use of social media by TV and radio news stations.
• A new Chapter 16 on Convergence, Cooperation and the New TV Newsroom covers the fundamental changes in how television news is distributed. Most traditional TV news is now also being delivered to digital stations, radio, the internet and mobile devices, changing the level of outreach. The chapter concludes with a discussion on MMJs (multimedia journalists), or backpack journalists, and how they epitomize convergence.
• A revised Chapter 1 on The Business of News goes into greater detail on the framework that governs news production. This chapters explores how media use has become harder to measure as the number of outlets available continue to proliferate.
• A revised Chapter 14 on Online News examines the rapidly changing internet playing field, with a new focus on hyperlocal news, such as Patch, and the three-screen approach to news: television, online and mobile.
• All reference information in the book has been consolidated and refocused to the needs of general assignment reporters. This information can now be found in three chapters: Chapter 18 on News, Weather and Sports; Chapter 19 on Seasonal Coverage and the Calendar; and Chapter 20 on Specialized Coverage.
• Brand new end-of-chapter sections offer readers a succinct chapter summary, list of key words and phrases and several exercises that allow readers to apply what they’ve just learned.