News Markets and Platforms (U7: P1, P2, M1)
Learning outcome 1 (U7): Understand the news industry.
P1 (U7): Explain the media market for different news providers.
There are many different ways to distribute news such as traditionally and digitally. Below I have created a mind map showing the different ways news can be distributed along with examples of distribution methods - print, tv, radio and online.
The screenshot above is from the video, demonstrating how the story was constructed. This is a quotation from Steve Walsh, and shows how the BBC is quite a neutral news broadcaster - it gives voice to multiple people connected to an individual story.
M1 (U7): Compare and contrast the benefits of using different media platforms
A benefit of distributing this story digitally is that the news is spread fast and more effectively than in print format. This is particularly important for a story like this because the Coronavirus was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation. Using the Telegraph website enables users to read the same article as that which appears in print format. Similarly, a benefit of this is that writers are able to update their published articles throughout the day, they can also include hyperlinks and videos by embedding them into the text, which means users can navigate around the story, gaining a deeper insight into the origins of the story.
This news story was also distributed on The Telegraph's app, which is updated regularly. Users are able to save, share and follow the different articles so that they are notified when its is updated. Having a news app is a benefit because it enables audiences to access the news articles anywhere at anytime, rather than having to find a paper copy. Similarly, having an app can encourage young people to read the news more as all they have to do is download it onto their phones.
Social media is also constantly updating, often news stories are released on social media platforms before they are published by newspapers. When a post is published on a social media app, such as Twitter, it updates users feed. People are then able to share the post or retweet it, leading to the people who follow them seeing the story. They are then able to follow the news article for further more in-depth information. This is a benefit of this because it is able to reach masses of people, each time someone shares the article.
One advantage of Twitter is that it has a word limit, so the main story is distilled into its key elements - users can get the main story and stay abreast of new developments throughout the day in a succinct format.
Also when distributing this story about the Coronavirus 'Super spreader' anyone who has a news app would have received a flash alert on their phone screen informing them of the breaking news. This grabs people's attention, drawing them into the article to find out more. This is an effective method of news distribution as most people are always on their phones or constantly looking at their phones so they are guaranteed to see the notification. If someone doesn't have an individual news app, on iPhone, Apple News will also send notifications or provide them on the information page that can be accessed by swiping right from the the home screen.
Another benefit of digitally distributing news stories is that it is easier for people to find information quicker. Similarly, this method is also more environmentally friendly as the more people that read the news digitally means less people will buy paper copies, reducing the amount of newspapers that are produced, as well as newspaper companies carbon footprint. Producing online articles also reduces the production time that would be required to produce a paper copy. An overall benefit of using digital distributing is the benefit on the environment.
A benefit of traditional advertising such as print and radio is that it targets commuters and people who are not on social media, such as elderly people. People who are commuting to and from work and more likely to read a newspaper cover to cover rather than skimming articles as they have a long journey. Whereas elderly people are more likely to purchase the paper on a Sunday and spend their morning reading the paper cover to cover.
Radio listeners are able to hear all the breaking news as it is distributed from news channels, whilst paper readers would have to wait longer to receive the news as the paper has to be produced and distributed. However, this is still catering to all the different audiences ensuring they receive the information, reducing any chances of moral panic.
Another benefit of traditional advertising would be TV as they can receive updates asap as many channels broadcast news all day. This means news presenters are able to inform audiences straight away. This type of distribution is targeted at elderly people and people working in environments where a TV broadcasting the news is always on. This method of distribution is targeted at elderly people as they are retired and have the option to sit at home watching TV all day. They are able to hear all the regular updates on various news stories throughout the day.
The final benefit of broadcasting news on TV is that viewers are able to see exclusive content and features that people who read paper copies are not able to. For example, in relation to the Coronavirus article there could be articles with doctors who are researching the virus. Moreover, with TV news there is also little reading required by viewers as it is mainly audio. The small amount of reading that is featured is often a variety of infographics that will be on screen. Audiences are more likely to find out about the news via TV channels because it is more personal, it feels like the presenter is speaking directly to the audience. Finally, TV news can also include live video footage that is relating to the news story from around the world, usually this is citizen journalism which is based upon public citizens playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analysing, and disseminating news and information.
P1 (U7): Explain the media market for different news providers.
There are many different ways to distribute news such as traditionally and digitally. Below I have created a mind map showing the different ways news can be distributed along with examples of distribution methods - print, tv, radio and online.
P2 (U7): Explain the media platforms used for news distributions.
The story I have selected is linked to the coronavirus. It concerns a British man, Steve Walsh, who has been nicknamed the 'super spreader', after he contracted the illness in Singapore, returned with it to Europe and infected various people there.
The story was widely reported, on both traditional and modern news platforms.
This screenshot is from The Telegraph's website. The Telegraph is a right wing broadsheet so reports on serious news stories, providing in-depth coverage. The paper has both digital platforms - the website as well as social media feeds - plus the traditional print format which is published daily. This story was published on the website at 10:05am on 11th February 2020, and further, breaking stories linked to the case have been linked to it.
The story I have selected is linked to the coronavirus. It concerns a British man, Steve Walsh, who has been nicknamed the 'super spreader', after he contracted the illness in Singapore, returned with it to Europe and infected various people there.
The story was widely reported, on both traditional and modern news platforms.
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| The Telegraph |
The screenshot below is from The Daily Mail's website. The Daily Mail is a mid-market paper, somewhere between a broadsheet and a tabloid. Its stories tend to be quite provocative - aimed at stirring up public opinion. The article has a long headline and a number os stand firsts, aimed at giving the reader the main points of interest in the article. As well as this, it has many images, as well as maps tracking the spread of the virus, and a timeline of Steve Walsh's movements.
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| The Daily Mail |
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| Daily Mail magnified section |
The above screenshot is from the same story. It demonstrates that the original story was published on 11th February at 09:38am, and later updated the following day at 00:14am. As well as this, there are a number of tabs, showing that users can follow the story via social media - they can share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other digital platforms, which helps the paper distribute the story to as many people as possible. In the above screenshot, the names of the contributors to the article are also hyperlinked, so users can follow other, similar stories they have written.
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| Daily Mail App |
This screenshot is from The Daily Mail's app, after a search for 'Super Spreader'. It demonstrates that a number of articles exist on the same subject matter, and each is presented via a thumbnail with a a headline. Therefore, users of the app can easily identify a story, and by clicking on it, they can read the full story.
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| Daily Mail app - article |
The screenshot above is of one of the articles on the app. As with the website, the article has a headline, central image and a number of stand firsts. The image of Steve Walsh is repeated in most of the articles, creating synergy across the different platforms so that users can easily identify the story. As well as this, there are also tabs on the article linking to Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and email.
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| From The Daily Mail newspaper (print version) |
The screenshot above is from The Daily Mail newspaper. Print enables large, full page images to be created, sometimes across a double page. This is visually striking and eye-catching for readers.
Finally, the story was featured on other forms of traditional news. The video below is from BBC News at 10pm. The video is over four minutes long, so demonstrates that a lot of screen time was given to the report, presumably because it is an important feature. This appeared as one of the evening's main stories. The in-depth reporting includes infographics, interviews with people connected to the case and footage of MPs discussing it in Parliament.
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| YouTube |
M1 (U7): Compare and contrast the benefits of using different media platforms
A benefit of distributing this story digitally is that the news is spread fast and more effectively than in print format. This is particularly important for a story like this because the Coronavirus was declared a global emergency by the World Health Organisation. Using the Telegraph website enables users to read the same article as that which appears in print format. Similarly, a benefit of this is that writers are able to update their published articles throughout the day, they can also include hyperlinks and videos by embedding them into the text, which means users can navigate around the story, gaining a deeper insight into the origins of the story.
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| Telegraph website |
In the screenshot above, taken from The Telegraph website, links have been included to social media (Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and email) on the left hand side of the screen, so that users can repost articles from the website, or share them with friends and family via WhatsApp or email.
The article also has a hyperlink - "Follow the latest on coronavirus in our liveblog here"
Clicking on it enables users to view other stories related to the main story:
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| Telegraph Website |
In the screenshot above, the article features a video about the Coronavirus outbreak, as well as more hyperlinks that users can use to gain a more in-depth understanding about the virus. There is also a "Follow" tab, enabling users to sign up to The Telegraph's online platform, so that they can receive updates on the story. This is a clear benefit over print platforms: they are more interactive, and enable users to follow the story in greater depth, exploring stories connected with it.
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| Telegraph app |
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| Telegraph Twitter page |
One advantage of Twitter is that it has a word limit, so the main story is distilled into its key elements - users can get the main story and stay abreast of new developments throughout the day in a succinct format.
Also when distributing this story about the Coronavirus 'Super spreader' anyone who has a news app would have received a flash alert on their phone screen informing them of the breaking news. This grabs people's attention, drawing them into the article to find out more. This is an effective method of news distribution as most people are always on their phones or constantly looking at their phones so they are guaranteed to see the notification. If someone doesn't have an individual news app, on iPhone, Apple News will also send notifications or provide them on the information page that can be accessed by swiping right from the the home screen.
Another benefit of digitally distributing news stories is that it is easier for people to find information quicker. Similarly, this method is also more environmentally friendly as the more people that read the news digitally means less people will buy paper copies, reducing the amount of newspapers that are produced, as well as newspaper companies carbon footprint. Producing online articles also reduces the production time that would be required to produce a paper copy. An overall benefit of using digital distributing is the benefit on the environment.
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| The Times |
A benefit of traditional advertising such as print and radio is that it targets commuters and people who are not on social media, such as elderly people. People who are commuting to and from work and more likely to read a newspaper cover to cover rather than skimming articles as they have a long journey. Whereas elderly people are more likely to purchase the paper on a Sunday and spend their morning reading the paper cover to cover.
Radio listeners are able to hear all the breaking news as it is distributed from news channels, whilst paper readers would have to wait longer to receive the news as the paper has to be produced and distributed. However, this is still catering to all the different audiences ensuring they receive the information, reducing any chances of moral panic.
Another benefit of traditional advertising would be TV as they can receive updates asap as many channels broadcast news all day. This means news presenters are able to inform audiences straight away. This type of distribution is targeted at elderly people and people working in environments where a TV broadcasting the news is always on. This method of distribution is targeted at elderly people as they are retired and have the option to sit at home watching TV all day. They are able to hear all the regular updates on various news stories throughout the day.
The final benefit of broadcasting news on TV is that viewers are able to see exclusive content and features that people who read paper copies are not able to. For example, in relation to the Coronavirus article there could be articles with doctors who are researching the virus. Moreover, with TV news there is also little reading required by viewers as it is mainly audio. The small amount of reading that is featured is often a variety of infographics that will be on screen. Audiences are more likely to find out about the news via TV channels because it is more personal, it feels like the presenter is speaking directly to the audience. Finally, TV news can also include live video footage that is relating to the news story from around the world, usually this is citizen journalism which is based upon public citizens playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analysing, and disseminating news and information.
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