The digital arena has become a prominent tool and utility used in professional and leisure lifestyles. Its accessibility and array of functions and media have made the public space a central piece for any profession particularly those in the media field. Journalism has followed this movement, heavily utilising these digital platforms in order to create a greater variety of stories and with access to a broader audience. By adapting to these changes, journalists must ultimately develop a set of values in their role to ensure that they can work effectively in the digital landscape that journalism relies upon.
Integrity must be the core value to any journalist. In a discipline that is content saturated, credibility is a factor that centres of reputation and accuracy. It is mandatory for a journalist to upkeep news standards following a pyramid of news values; including honesty and factualness. It would thus become apparent, that integrity is an element that centres on a reputation and overall value towards a persons writing; something that has increased visibility on the digital platform.
Expectations that also rely onto journalist include prominence within their stories. Prominence is a value that draws on meaning and its correlation with readers of the piece. In today’s world of heavy digitalisation, news stories and content that draw on prominent material is likely to gather the most public interest.
Accountability would too represent a core value for journalists. Liability for contempt and defamation are prominent risks associated with journalism as such journalist need to be accountable for their work and subsequently the responses people have to their work.
These values provide a benchmark in moving forward as a journalist. By incorporating these values that align with digital platforms, journalists are able to adapt to an environment and produce a standard of work that resonates positively with its readership. Good journalism centres on a journalist that has integrity, and prominence. Likewise, being a journalist that is accountable and accepting of the material they choose to write.
