What is Web Journalism? Meaning, History, Characteristics, Skills Required, Future Scope and Salary
Web journalism has emerged as a powerful force in shaping the way we consume news and information. Know the history of web journalism, characteristics, examples, skills required to become a web journalist, prominent figures, prospects, career scope, and salary of a web journalist.
What is Web Journalism?
What is Web Journalism: Article Writing, Online News Publishing, Mobile Journalism (MoJo), Blogging, Vlogging, Podcasts, and Journal Writing have grown to become common in the last decade or so. Collectively these are the types of Web Journalism, where an individual uses the internet to journal/report on current affairs, the latest events, or their day-to-day activity and publishes it on the internet via a website, an app, or a video-sharing platform. In return, they get views, likes, and shares which if monetized can help them earn money. These career options have grown in massive numbers in the last few years.
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There is a 90% more chance of getting best college recommendations by sharing preferences.In today's digital age, web journalism has emerged as a powerful force in shaping the way we consume news and information. From breaking stories to in-depth analysis, web journalism encompasses a wide range of content delivered through digital platforms.
Q: What is the exam pattern of JMI Entrance Exam?
Q: What is the exam pattern for FTII JET?
FTII JET (Film and Television Institute of India Joint Entrance Test) consists of two parts: Part A and Part B. Part A assesses general aptitude, mental ability, and awareness about the audiovisual medium. Part B evaluates the candidate's specific area of specialization, such as direction, cinematography, editing, etc.
Q: How many sections are there in GMCET exam?
As per the official website of GMCET - gmcet.org. The GMCET question paper consists of four sections:
Section 1: English Language & IQ
Section 2: General Knowledge of News & Current Affairs
Section 3: Entertainment Media Knowledge
Section 4: Brands & Brand Communication Basic Knowledge
The GMCET question paper will be based on these 4 sections and the topics associated with them. Candidates need to prepare these sections before appearing in the GMCET examination.
In this article, we will explore the history of web journalism, characteristics, examples of web journalism, skills required to become a web journalist, prominent figures in the field of web journalism, prospects, career scope, and salary of a web journalist.
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What is Web Journalism?
Web journalism or online journalism or you can also call it digital journalism is a type of journalism tactic that has grown manifold in recent years, especially with the advent of the Internet and its global consumption. In web journalism, an individual journals or reports on current affairs or burning topics and publishes them on the internet via a website, an app, or a video-sharing platform like YouTube, etc. Article Writing, Online News Publishing, Mobile Journalism (MoJo), Blogging, Vlogging, Podcasts, and Journal Writing are some of the popular ways of web journalism.
History of Web Journalism
The history of web journalism can be traced back to the starting days of the internet in the late 20th century. This started with the discovery of the World Wide Web (www). Traditional media channels started transforming towards online presence making way for the online dissemination of news and information.
Q: What is the marking scheme for FTII JET?
The total marks of the FTII JET exam are 100 marks. In Part A of Paper I: one mark is awarded to each right question and 0.25 is deducted on the wrong answer. In Part B of Paper I: two marks are awarded to each right question. However, the questions may have one or more right answers, so candidates need to select all the correct options, failing which they will be given partial marks. This part also has the provision of negative marking.
Q: What is the exam pattern for MBA in JMI?
Q: Does GMCET exam have negative marking?
No, as mentioned on the official website of GMCET, unlike other government or private entrance examinations there is no negative marking in the GMCET exam. There are 100 questions of 1 mark each making the GMCET exam a of total 100 marks. Candidates have the liberty to give the answers as per their will without bothering about the minus marking which might cancel their chances of qualification.
Q: Will there be negative marking in JMI Entrance Exam?
Yes, the JMI Entrance Exam examination pattern suggests that there will be negative marking for multiple choice questions (MCQs). For every incorrect answer, 0.25 mark will be deducted and 1 marks will be awarded for every correct answer. However, negative marking will not be applicable for the unattempted or extra attempted questions. Since there is a negative marking scheme for wrong answers, candidates must answer questions carefully and select the questions carefully which they are sure about the accuracy.
Q: What is the JMI exan pattern for Undergraduate courses?
With time and technological advancements and the rise of social media platforms web journalism has become more accessible, interactive, and immediate. Real-time access to news and information took the generation by storm as people didn’t have to wait for the next day to read news and stay updated.
Platforms like The Huffington Post, BuzzFeed News, and Vox Media were among the first to adopt this change and revolutionized digital media with their innovative storytelling formats, multimedia content, and audience engagement strategies. Along with these media giants, independent bloggers also played a crucial role in covering niche topics and providing alternative perspectives on issues of public interest. These independent bloggers worked in their capacity but went on to give tough competition to stable media institutions. Shradha Sharma (YourStory), Gaurav Chowdhary (Technical Guruji), Faizal Khan (MotorBeam), Dhruv Rathi (Independent Journalism), Faye D'Souza, etc are some of the most popular names who picked a niche and started journaling on their personal capacity, today they are garnering views in millions and creating awareness.
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Characteristics of Web Journalism
When it comes to Web Journalism, time is the key along with timing, the characteristics include immediacy, interactivity, multimedia storytelling, global reach, and a data-driven approach.
Unlike traditional media where readers have to wait for the next day to check the news or wait for a specific time for news broadcast on radio and television web journalism provides real-time updates, keeps the audience engaged through comments and social sharing, is omnipresent across multimedia formats, has an audio and visual appeal to enhance storytelling. It also utilizes cross-border content transcends geographical boundaries, and leverages data analysis to uncover trends and insights within large datasets. So overall, it is fresh, unique, fast, and updated.
Skills Required to Become a Web Journalist in India
Aspiring journalists planning to enter the field of web journalism need to have a diverse skill set. Some of them are mentioned here -
- Traditional journalistic principles along with digital literacy
- Technical expertise in the photography, editing, and graphics department
- Strong writing abilities
- Proficiency in digital tools and platforms
- Critical thinking
- Adaptability
- Commitment to ethical journalism practices
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Famous Web Journalists in the World and India
On the global level prominent names like Glenn Greenwald, Arianna Huffington, and Andrew Sullivan, are famous for their groundbreaking work in digital media and online journalism. In India, the list goes long with notable web journalists like Barkha Dutt who transitioned from TV to Mobile Journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, Magsaysay Awardee Ravish Kumar to started his YouTube channel along with Faye D'Souza who reported against the illegal land mafias in Goa. These journalists are renowned for their fearless reporting and incisive analysis.
Career Scope as a Web Journalist and Salary in India
The career scope for web journalists in India is vast, as it has ample opportunities both in an independent capacity as well as across various media organizations. Many digital news startups even push forward to hire independent journalists as well as fresh college graduates for blogs, and freelance journaling.
The entry-level positions may include reporter, content writer, or multimedia journalist along with editor, photographer, cameraman, graphics designer, etc. The salaries for journalists in India typically range from INR 3 lakh to INR 10 lakh per annum, depending on factors such as experience, qualifications, and the size of the employer.
Web Journalism Job Roles
Web journalism job roles are pretty much the same as they would be for any type of internet content creation. Let’s list them out.
- Journalists, Content Writers, Copywriters - Their roles include generating story ideas, covering stories, interviewing people, researching and writing the stories, snippets, captions, etc.
- Editors - Editors go through copies and do a final quality control before a piece or a post is published.
- Static and Video Editors - These people work on every bit of visual content and edit photos and videos like thumbnails, posters, teasers, trailers, stories, full production videos, etc.
- SEO Professionals - Every bit of content that is published online needs SEO to make sure that it reaches its target audience.
- Managers, Talent Managers - These people are responsible for scheduling, setting up deals, etc. between two collaborating parties.
- Cameramen and Videographers - To shoot visual content.
Future of Web Journalism
The future of web journalism is already here. Since the inception of high-speed internet, content consumption has sky-rocketed especially during the COVID-19 phase. Users have increasingly shifted to digital platforms to consume the latest news and information as they can access it on the go and don’t have to wait for a specific time.
In the days to come, web journalism will continue to grow and play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and holding power to account. However, it also poses challenges in the form of the spread of misinformation, fake news, propaganda news, and algorithmic bias which will only showcase specific information to a specific set of user base.
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FAQs on What is Web Journalism?
Q: What is web journalism, and how it is different from traditional journalism?
A: Web journalism is the creation, distribution, and consumption of news and information on the Internet. Web journalism is fast, immediate, and interactive as it has the option to comment, share, and re-post. It is more appealing than traditional journalism, incorporating audio, video, and graphic representation.
Q: Who are some famous web journalists in India?
A: Notable web journalists in India include Ravish Kumar, Barkha Dutt, Manish Kumar, Faye D’Souza, Saurabh Dwivedi, Dhruv Rathi etc. They are known for their contributions to digital media and online journalism.
Q: What skills are required to become a successful web journalist in India?
A: Some essential skills required for web journalists in India include strong writing abilities, digital literacy, critical thinking, adaptability, and a commitment to ethical journalism practices.
Q: What is the future of web journalism?
A: The future of web journalism is promising, driven by technological advancements and evolving consumer behaviors it only tends to grow manifolds.
Q: What are the challenges web journalism faces?
A: The challenges web journalism faces are misinformation, propaganda news, fake news, and algorithmic bias. This needs to be updated to ensure the credibility and integrity of online news content.
Aayushi is a BAJMC graduate and an ardent consumer of content with a keen passion for film, TV and books. She specialises in Mass Communication and Humanities related exams, entrances and courses.