User:Clifford57/Fourth generation journalism

Generations of Journalism Proto-journalism Technology: clay tablets and stylus; paints, inks, paper, cloth. Products:  scrolls, notes, reports, histories, Control: None, but leader or clan support beneficial. Utility: record keeping, religious tracts, laws codified, histories, messages to headquarters, orders to distant settlements, Impact: Organization of tribe, clan or empire as messages (orders, laws) standardized. Centralized power over religion, economy, military,

First Generation Journalism Pre-1450  By hand and mouth Technology: Quill and ink on paper scroll or silk allowing more reports and lighter messages for transport and rolled for storage in libraries. Etched block printing for multiple messages. Portable string instruments allow minstrels transporting poetry and tales to distant settlements. Leadership seeks to control messages of troubadours within the seat of power and in settlements. Products: Oral legends are written, religious tracts distributed; standards are established for laws and cultural norms. Control: Leadership by social control of religion, economy, military. Utility: Spread of messages to public by trusted technicians (scribes, minstrels, poets). Messages are increased in entertainment value by illustration and music. Messages are seen as entertainment and news. Music and rhyme employed for illiterate audiences. Impact: Centralized control of messages and messengers maintained by leadership support of media. Coercive methods used for compliance and rewards given for distributing messages favorable to leadership.

Second Generation Journalism 1450 – 1850  By printed text Technology: Printing press with movable type, later joined with etched block illustrations. Sheet fed and later rolls of paper and mechanical presses increase production and lower cost of mass produced messages. Development of regular transport by carriers on land and sea. Products: Religious tracts, books, histories, educational texts, specialized reports for subscribers, news reports supported by institutions or financial groups. Control: Government control of printers, social control of audience by religious leaders. Utility: Standard messages widely distributed at low cost by leadership and upper classes. Reduced danger from minstrels or poets altering original message. Impact: Reduced control by leadership but most control over messages remains with the upper class and wealthy with means to support journalism. Leadership imposes stricter controls over the means of production (presses and printers). Laws enacted against unauthorized or seditious messages. Publications supporting the upper class and government goals are assisted with distribution of messages (free distribution by rail for qualifying publications). Partisan support and funding for publications espousing a certain point of view, but distribution outside government incentives. Public education more standardized by textbooks delivering common information and norms.

Third Generation Journalism 1850 – 1970  By broadcast Technology: Century of communications advancement with introduction of telegraph, photography, film, telephone, radio and television. Development of scheduled transport on land (road, rail) and water (sea, river) for distribution. Products: Daily newspapers with illustrations, live broadcast of events, cinema, radio and television attract massive audiences. Control: Government asserts control over instant messaging via telegraph, telephone, radio and television. Corporate control of mass media increases as government control is decentralized. Organized religions set audience standards. Utility: Newspapers set reporting standards and network by telegraph to share objective reports to non-competing publications. Messages from other nations are controlled at borders. Printed texts, photographs, and cinema are subject to censorship codes to block “anti-social” messages. Impact: Mass audiences expect accounting of government actions and model social actions based on distributed messages. Public relations evolves as a means of steering audience beliefs and actions. Journalism becomes the Fourth Estate along with government, religion and commerce.

Fourth Generation Journalism 1970 – present By the Internet Technology: Computers reduce cost for typesetting and photo reproduction which allow small low-cost publications to thrive with limited distribution. Transmission of information speeded by Internet and World Wide Web allows international distribution of information in many formats. Information capture technology (video, recorders) allow public to organize and distribute messages for transmission to individuals or Internet audiences. Instant messaging and website platforms allow anyone with Internet access to distribute information to mass international audiences. Products: Small anti-establishment news publications challenge mainstream press during periods of social unrest. Digital photography and video reduce costs to transmit images. Cable television increases broadcast choices. Social networking sites allow like-minded computer users to swarm and cluster. Internet web logs, or blogs, create fusion centers for the clustering of ideas and audiences. Control: None. Mass media laws (libel, copyright, etc.) are circumvented as information is shared internationally by individuals. Utility: Widespread Internet availability and increased broadband allows international users to share information (print, video, audio) with mass audiences and also enables social networking and increases match-making and dating. Ease of access to World Wide Web reduces public need for mainstream news and causes reduction in advertising and subscription support for news organizations. Impact: Mainstream news organizations forced to recognize underground or “black journalism” and the democratization of news gathering. Leadership control over messages is destroyed. Sheer scope of the Internet allows individuals to find an audience for any idea.