Internet

Definition

The internet is a global network of interconnected computers that communicate through standardized protocols, enabling the exchange of information and resources. It has revolutionized the way news is disseminated, allowing for real-time reporting and a vast array of sources for consumers, shaping the landscape of journalism in unprecedented ways.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The internet was developed in the late 1960s as a project by the U.S. Department of Defense and has since grown into a fundamental part of modern life.
2. With the rise of the internet, traditional media outlets have had to adapt their practices to stay relevant, leading to a blending of print, broadcast, and online news formats.
3. The internet allows for immediate feedback from audiences through comments and social media interactions, changing the relationship between journalists and their readers.
4. Search engines like Google have become essential tools for both journalists seeking information and readers looking for news, influencing how stories are discovered and shared.
5. The advent of mobile devices and high-speed internet has further accelerated access to news, making information available anytime and anywhere.

Review Questions

• How has the internet changed the way journalists gather and report news?
  • The internet has transformed journalism by providing journalists with instant access to vast amounts of information from around the world. They can conduct interviews via email or video calls, access databases, and follow real-time events through social media updates. This immediacy allows for quicker reporting but also requires journalists to verify sources and facts more rigorously than ever before.
• Discuss the impact of social media on news distribution and public engagement in journalism.
  • Social media has fundamentally altered how news is distributed and consumed. It enables real-time sharing of information, allowing stories to go viral within minutes. Journalists now use social media as both a tool for reporting and a platform for audience engagement, fostering two-way communication. This shift has challenged traditional editorial gatekeeping and allowed diverse voices to contribute to the news landscape.
• Evaluate the implications of the internet on journalistic integrity and credibility in the current media landscape.
  • The internet presents challenges to journalistic integrity as misinformation can spread rapidly across online platforms. Journalists must navigate an environment filled with 'fake news' while striving to maintain credibility. This situation necessitates heightened standards for fact-checking and source verification. As audiences demand transparency and accountability, ethical journalism becomes increasingly crucial in fostering trust in news organizations amidst a crowded digital space.

Related terms

World Wide Web: A system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the internet, allowing users to view and interact with multimedia content.

Social Media: Online platforms that enable users to create, share, and exchange content, significantly impacting how news is reported and consumed.

Digital Journalism: A form of journalism that uses digital tools and technologies to create and distribute news content across various online platforms.