Author Argues Print and Video Journalism Both Remain Essential

by

In a column for The Maine Campus, a writer argues that journalism remains essential across its various formats while comparing the distinct advantages of print and video media.

The piece examines how daily information reaches the public through television, phone screens, and newspapers, noting that journalism is vital for personal awareness and a shared understanding of the world during a time of polarized politics and a growing pop culture lexicon.

The author mentions childhood ambitions of working as a news anchor before realizing a lack of sufficient physical attractiveness or the required work ethic, adding a humorous aside about likely resembling Ron Burgundy.

The column outlines specific strengths and drawbacks for both print and video journalism. Print media serves as a baseline where the physical nature of a newspaper or magazine adds weight to issues, allows readers to take in detailed information at their own pace, and requires no electronic device. However, physical newspapers cannot be edited once printed, and declining attention spans mean fewer people read them.

In contrast, video journalism uses visuals, audio, interviews, and narration on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to build emotional connections and communicate breaking news quickly and worldwide. Despite these advantages, video production can be expensive and time-consuming, requiring days of work for a 10-minute video essay compared to writing a text piece. The analysis specifically focuses on print and video while omitting digital article formats like Politico or Axios.

Although video journalism has taken precedence due to advancements in social media platforms and personal devices, the author notes that newspapers are far from being completely replaced. The University of Maine benefits from having both print and video journalism available through The Maine Campus, alongside culture-related video coverage from the Maine Journal.

These combined resources provide students with different ways to stay informed about campus news and events, fulfilling a crucial need for students to remain aware of current events.

Worth a look

Read next