Does new media affect quality of news coverage?

Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on January 11, 2008 at 11:01 AM

According to a survey by Omnicom’s Brodeur, nearly half of reporters and editors across the media believe that “new media” sources (blogs and social networks) have a “very” or “somewhat” significant impact on quality of news coverage.

Nearly 180 reporters and editors responded to the email survey.

43% believed that new media impacted quality of news coverage, while 56% thought the impact was “not very” or “not at all” significant.

In other words, media insiders are still split as to the benefits, or simple influence, of new media on their coverage.

However, most respondents (74%) recognized the effect new media had had on the speed and reactivity of their reporting.

About half of respondents thought blogs and social had a “somewhat” significant impact on the tone and style of a news feature (only 10% though it had a “very” significant impact).

“It appears that reporters are using blogs more for ethnographic research than they are for investigative research," said Jerry Johnson, head of strategic planning at Brodeur.

Source: MediaPost

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