Media - Awards, Smartphones, Data, Landscape - Development

Abel Ugba responds to Media - Awards, Smartphones, Data, Landscape - Development

The MA in Media, Communication and Global Development at the University of East London is a unique platform for participants to acquire a comprehensive, advanced and critical understanding of the relationships between the media and global development sector and practitioners. Participants will also acquire the knowledge to analyse and communicate development information journalistically and academically. They will engage in and contribute to current and historical debates about globalisation, mediatisation, international development and the media.

The programme offers the technical know-how and resources to produce development news and information in various multimedia formats. Students will learn to write policy briefings and develop the skills to write for social media, blog and present complex ideas in ethical, concise and creative ways. They will have the opportunities to extend their networks and interact with industry players in the media and international development sector. They will learn how to plan and undertake their own research project and to communicate research findings to journalists, academics, policy formulators and the general public. Find out more.

From Vivien Morgan with specific reference to Conflict Reporting in the Smartphone Era - from Budget Constraints to Information Warfare

This is a really interesting and pertinent report that highlights the change in videojournalism and newsgathering techniques.

As ever it is the freelancer who is most at risk, the citizen journalist and the 'unembedded' or non-staff video journalist or multi-media journalist. They are also, as the report states, at risk of not having the professional gate-keepers and colleagues who oversee balanced and factual reporting- without bias- or with personal views made clear. 

Broadcast journalism whether on the Web or on TV channels cannot have it all ways: cheap video contet being provided by freelancers of all kinds- and not provide support or guidance on acceptable practises- especially in dangerous conflict reporting.

I've looked at new ways of working in my Videojournalism Guide- a seconnd edition that follows on from my first Practising videojournalism text book. I'll provide a link to this when it comes out next month as an e-book.

In this fast-changing digital landscape and in the increasing debate about so-called 'fake' news, it is up to us and all in the world of academic and professional journalism to ensure the spotlight on newsgathering practices remains.

Vivien