Background
Electronic News Gathering entails the processes whereby news reporters and news editors utilize different forms of electronic audio and video technologies to collect, transmit and report the news to their target audience. Before Electronic News Gathering was put into practice to collect and report news, the news reporters used manual means such as taking notes through writing during interviews. (Atkin et al., 2015) Manual procedures used in gathering and presenting news were very slow and defective, which brought about the need for more efficient technologies for easier and faster transmission of the collected news. (Rena Kim Bivens, 2014, p. 24) The analog procedures utilized in the transmission of the gathered information greatly made it difficult for different media houses to ensure high levels of productivity in their operation.
Introduction: Electronic News Gathering
Electronic News Gathering (ENG) refers to the art collection of words and pictures in the form of electric news. The flexible use of portable electronic equipment to record events and present them on a specific communication media. Electronic News Gathering commenced in 1970. Reporters gather events and instantly feed them to the channel studio for airing on TV. Electronic News Gathering has made it easier and quicker to transmit news to the target audience. Time dynamics have seen an increase in technological innovation in Electronic News Gathering; thus, even social media is currently being used as a channel for Electronic News Gathering.
Technical Capabilities
Electronic News Gathering Method utilizes Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) multicast over the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Functions like high-end microwave technology are used in the dissemination of news and information to the target audience. Modalities like single video cameras are being utilized to used to gather and report the news. This approach majorly involves using unplanned or unforeseen series of links during most of their operations at different locations. The Characteristics involve the Utilization of electrical video to gather information, the Incorporation of Audio technologies in gathering news, and the Utilization of portable equipment in the newsgathering process.
Diffusion and Use
Electronic News Gathering has experienced tremendous development, which has made the diffusion process easier. (LaMorte, 2019). Migrating from analog methods of gathering news to digital procedures has made Electronic News Gathering more efficient. Electronic News Gathering gets gradually incorporated into the social setting, first by a specific group of people, then eventually to a larger group. The technologies are so that the video fields get encoded for IP as soon as they are recorded. Some of the benefits that made it easy for the diffusion and use of Electronic News Gathering include: Dissemination of the video stream is possible without modification through Live feeds. Multiple data lines are utilized for the dissemination of high-definition content.
THEORY: Diffusion of Innovation Theory
The diffusion of innovation theory best describes the fast spread of Electronic News Gathering technologies. (Claessens, 2018)Diffusion theory is the spread of innovative ideas starting from a particular group of individuals in a social system. The idea is then adopted by a larger group over a given period of time. Characteristics of diffusion theory that determine the rate of diffusion include the following aspects; Compatibility: consistency shown by the innovation with rules that exist. ENG is in collaboration with the values of journalism and news dissemination. Rate of adoption: the speed by which the innovation gets incorporated into the social setting in question.
Factors determining the rate of diffusion
Other major factors that determine the diffusion of Electronic newsgathering technology include; Complexity: The innovations have also enabled the development of user-friendly technologies and equipment utilized in Electronic News Gathering and Reporting. Relative Advantages: The benefits held by the innovation over the other technology it is replacing. Most of the new technologies adopted are very efficient in terms of productivity. Digitization has made it easier and faster to gather and report the news. For example, most television stations are capable of streaming live events and broadcasting their news reports in real-time. In this case, digital televisions replacing analog television revolutionized Electronic News Gathering (LaMorte, 2019) Triability: the technologies introduced in Electronic News Gathering have been tried and verified for affectivity making it easier for them to diffuse appropriately to the target market.
Continuation
The diffusion channels also have a great impact in ensuring that the Electronic News Gathering technology diffuses appropriately in the communication and media industry. The channel is the media that the innovation spreads. In this case, innovation is spread through electronic media such as social media platforms and other social platforms such as the NAB show. The diffusion process is mainly for industries to achieve high-quality and high-resolution equipment. Diffusion theory lies in utility. In Electronic News Gathering, the theory is marked by: Advancement of popularity in Television news and Constant news production.
Empirical Findings
Findings reveal that the Communication Technology in question has brought about a significant impact on social change. The findings reveal that: Electronic News Gathering has led to the development of an Information-based society: society is dependent on Electronic News Gathering to acquire information faster and more efficiently. It has led to fast dissemination of news – the electronic newsgathering process is done as soon as the data gets recorded and is edited. Viewers, therefore, experience the news as it occurs. The technologies also enable the coverage and reporting of live and real-time events. Editing compartments are attached to the recording equipment. (Julien Sueres, 2016)
The diffusion channels also significantly impact ensuring that the Electronic News Gathering technology diffuses appropriately in the communication and media industry. The channel is the media that the innovation spreads. In this case, innovation is spread through electronic media such as social media platforms and other social platforms such as the NAB show. The diffusion processes are mainly for industries to achieve high-quality and high-resolution equipment. Diffusion theory lies in utility. In Electronic News Gathering, the approach is marked by Advancement of popularity in Television news Constant news production
Continuation of Empirical Findings
Other impacts include Transparency, where Electronic News Gathering captures the government operations for the public, thus limiting cases of corruption since most media stations cover events that have major impacts on the social environment of individuals in the society. The utilization of helicopters to reach breaking news destinations has contributed to increased revenue in the aviation sector. Increased social justice- Electronic News Gathering technology has made it possible to quickly acquire and safely keep evidence of various social injustices such as racism. Such evidence makes it easier for law enforcement authorities to ensure justice is served to the affected individuals in society.
Social Change Implications
Other impacts include Transparency, where Electronic News The empirical findings reveal that Electronic News Gathering has caused a lot of change in general society. (Aririguzoh, n.d.) This change has diverse implications in everyday life. Reasons for the change include the following: Increase in efficiency – electronic newsgathering highlights the goals and objective of enabling efficiency to be more competitive in the sector. Creation of an international scene: Broadcasting electronic News via technological channels results in creating a global village. For example, an individual in the United States of America can use links generated through electronic newsgathering technologies to watch sporting events happening in England in real time. Participation in the world economy- stock markets from different parts of the world are easily accessible through online platforms. Increased social interactions since international News flows steadily through different channels available online.
Summary
Electronic News Gathering as an innovative technology in the world of news reporting has brought about positive impacts in the communication sector.
Some of the positive impacts range from organizational growth to the creation of international relations and collaboration between different nations.
The technology is efficient in promoting transparency within the government through broadcasting live governmental events that will have an impact on the well-being of the people in the society.
The extent of Electronic News Gathering on social change is significant and therefore cannot be undermined.
Electronic News Gathering technology is a game-changer since it enhances effective communication within different sectors of the economy.
It is evident that the technology used in electronic newsgathering has greatly helped in shaping the social, economical, and political scene within our societies.
References
Aririguzoh, S. A. (n.d.). Electronic news gathering: Impact, implications and challenges in television news reporting. The International Journal of Communication, No 4, 158-171. Web.
Atkin, D. J., Hunt, D. S., & Lin, C. A. (2015). Diffusion Theory in the New Media Environment: Toward an Integrated Technology Adoption Model. Mass Communication and Society, 18(5), 623–650. Web.
Claessens, M. (2018). Factors influencing the Adoption Process – Understand Product Adoption. Marketing-Insider. Web.
Julien Sueres. (2016). The Impact of Digital Technologies on the Gathering, Production and Dissemination of News. Medium; International & Online Journalism. Web.
LaMorte, W. (2019). Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Sphweb.bumc.bu.edu; Boston University School of Public Health. Web.
Rena Kim Bivens. (2014). Digital currents : how technology and the public are shaping TV news (p. 24). Univ. Of Toronto Press.