Most media conglomerates obsess with covering the latest news. The newest. This has gradually become an exercise in futility, because emerging technologies of news storytelling change the meaning of journalism. Journalists are no longer the first ones, or the only ones telling the story. Trying to desperately continue to do so leads to an obsession with instantaneity in news reporting that robs stories of their substance, and journalism of its potential.
Read the full piece at Nieman Journalism Lab
In broadcasting (per Wikipedia), “over-the-top” (OTT) content refers to audio, video and other media delivered over the Internet without involvement or control by what they call a “multiple-system operator.” In other words, users get the content over the Internet without having to enter into any ongoing business relationship with any provider beyond getting the Internet access. And the Internet provider has nothing to do with the content other than enabling the connect between it and the user. That provider “is not responsible for, nor able to control, the viewing abilities, copyrights, and/or other redistribution of the content.” Short version — total disintermediation and so the nightmare scenario for everything currently known as a broadcast network, cable channel, pay television video, on demand, or IPTV video services.
Apply that scenario to journalism content and you imagine a world where people get their news stories without having to subscribe to or go through any particular news provider. Sound familiar?
Papacharissi is so very correct that media brands fixated on trying to be be definitive providers of breaking news are trying to catch smoke with their bare hands.
Successful millennial journalism entrepreneurs (such as our own Newsplexer Projects) instead are focused on designing unique news stories experienced through exceptional environments.
/kjn
