Feb

23

Can Vlogalism Really Replace Journalism?

Filed Under Vlogalism

In this short article at bizcommunity.com, Stanely Edwards from Platypus Production talks about the rise of vlogalism (vlog journalism).

According to Stanley Edwards, partner in Platypus Productions, video content production specialists, convergent technologies are one of the few ways to reach the elusive yet powerful 16 - 24 year olds.

For Edwards, keeping a finger on the pulse of technology is the key to Platypus Productions’ competitive advantage. “It’s good to know we’re considered great guys to work with but I believe it is our use of new media that gives us the edge. We are currently reviewing software that simplifies production processes with a great cost saving to our clients. The prevalence of Vlogs or video blogs are considered such a risk to television journalism that media industry chat rooms are jammed with discussions about them. At the end of the day it’s all about content and not technology and that’s where we win,” he says.

A few points here:

All this may be true, but if its the 16-24 year olds they’re aiming at, the truth is, for MOST 16-24 year olds, the news doesn’t matter much. Not all, of course, but most. There are grassroots organizations that appeal to this segment, but the lasting effect of this segment of the population on the culture as a whole, these days and in politically democratic societies, is questionable. This segment of the population does indeed change the cultural infrastructure, but only certain elements of the cultural infrastructure. The media often likes to pretend otherwise because that’s a story that always seems fresh and exciting. The truth is, as the old saying goes, the world is still run by men (and women too now) in their 50s.

Edwards also talks about content. But what will the content be? There WILL be vlogs that get a lot of good content that mainstream journalist won’t. This is a good thing. But as I mentioned in the very first post on this site, when a journalist, or in this case a vlogalist (vlog journalist), isn’t beholden to anyone, the potential for disaster is as great as the potential for good. The dishonest or politically motivated vlogalist will have fertile ground in the vlog world to plant his/her propaganda. Younger viewers, while “smart,” simply don’t always have the life experience to parse a clever or even glaringly awkward fake. Their technical sophistication, however, may make up for that to some degree. Where the younger generation knows how things are done technically, and can see through the possible veneer of a tech-created scam, the older generation has a better grasp on the motivations of humans as a whole. That its dressed up in new technology makes little difference. “Same dog, different collar,” as the Spanish say. Age taketh away, but it also addeth. This is not a put down of the 16-24 group. I think even a 24 year-old would agree that he/she understands more of life at 24 than at 18, or 19, or even 21. Would a 30 year old feel he/she understands more of life than at age 21, or even 25 or 26? I think so.

Vlogs, at least in the beginning, will be mostly a younger generation medium. Journalistic vlogs will indeed scoop the mainstream media time and time again, but their stories will have to be verified by the mainstream media. Some people, however, won’t require this verification process. If the story supports the view they already hold, they’ll take it as gospel. That, of course, is a mistake. But it’s a mistake that a younger person is more apt to make than an older one. There are exceptions, of course. The recent Dan Rather episode being a famous one. In general, however, if still of sound mind, age is a huge advantage in this area. And this is why the world is still run by men and women in their 50s. Dupe a large section of 18 year olds and it might make something of a difference. Dupe a large section of 55 year olds and it will definitely make a difference.

Vlog journalism will play a very important role in our lives. No doubt about that. But as for being a true risk to mainstream journalism, that sounds like hyperbole to me. Not in politically open societies anyway. In politically repressed societies, well, that’s a different story. Possibly.

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