How technology will force journalists to adapt in 10 years

November 5, 2019 | Sophia Trout and Clint McLeod

Photo: PBS

Journalism is an industry that is continuously evolving. Each year there is new technology, more social media platforms and different ways to present news that journalists need to incorporate into their craft. In ten years, how else will the industry change?

A new technology believed to be a player in the news industry within the next ten years is Virtual Reality (VR). According to the article “History of VR - Timeline of Events and Tech Development” written by Dom Barnard, by 2015, VR became widely available to the general consumer and has continued to flourish since.

This technology is not going anywhere, and the possibility that news stations and journalists won’t utilize it in their work is slim. Imagine tuning into a sporting event and having the VR possibility of being right there on the turf. Watching a story about a house fire and be seemingly next to first responders as they put it out. Events like the Olympics, Presidential debates and even local news stories can all be elevated with the visual aspect of VR.

In a world of Podcasts and NPR, audio reporting is taking center stage as a popular way to report news. According to a study by the International News Media Association done in 2017, only 33% of Millennials read strictly print newspapers. More people are relying on audio to get their news, and journalists should be prepared to adapt to the podcast medium. Part of that is the journalist being ready to be present in their work on an audio and visual level, not just writing.

More people are looking to independent journalists to receive their news and less to big outlets like CNN and Fox. With social media, anyone with a following can report news. Journalists must adapt and be an entertainer while also reporting because audiences love someone they can relate to and trust. Standing apart from a news conglomerate can help viewers see the journalists as a person, not just a brand.

These points are just the tip of where journalism might be within ten years. Who knows what new technology or techniques that will come out and change the industry forever.