How Satellites Will Fuel the Next
Wave of Journalism
In recent years, major events
such as the Arab Spring and the 2004 Indian Ocean
earthquake have brought the role of citizen journalists
into global prominence. As mainstream news outlets adapt
to this emerging trend, professional journalists and
average citizens alike can explore the use of satellite
technology as a key enabler to delivering news from
anywhere in the world. Thuraya’s Head of Media &
Broadcast, John Huddle, outlines his perspective.
Without doubt, the rise of
citizen journalism has transformed traditional means of
newsgathering and dissemination. A new breed of public
citizens and independent media are leveraging the latest
advances in digital technology to provide on-the-ground
news updates. Independent news outlets around the world
are gaining in credibility, especially in terms of
providing alternative viewpoints and driving online news
collaboration that is relatively free of censorship.
At the same time, the
accelerated demand for breaking news content in today’s
digitalized world places more pressure on traditional
news organizations to crowd-source and incorporate
user-generated content into their news packages.
The increased trend of
professional journalists working together with a network
of citizen contributors — either to develop stories or
to update a news report with the latest information —
reflects how citizen journalism has already impacted the
way major news organizations operate. This trend is
evidenced by the growing number of major news outlets,
such as CNN with its iReport initiative, that have
successfully incorporated amateur video or pictures of
breaking news stories into their programming mix.
Increasingly, broadcast and
print journalists have to evolve rapidly beyond their
traditional duties as news gatherers or gatekeepers, and
take on more of the role of a news “curator” — using
their experience to bring context, fact-checking and
critical analysis to citizen-submitted content. Equally
important, journalists today have to adapt quickly to
the use of a diverse range of technologies at the scene
of breaking news.
Impact of future-oriented
technologies
The increased prominence of
citizen journalism is synonymous with the rise of a new,
technology-driven era of journalism.
The popularity of social
media and online video platforms has revolutionized how
news is being disseminated. Facebook and Twitter rank
highly as online news sources today, and the sheer
pervasiveness of YouTube has enabled citizens’ video
contribution to fuel the demand for real-time,
interactive news updates.
Both public citizens and
professional journalists alike are increasingly adept at
using a wide range of social media, mobile apps and
technology for reporting purposes. An example is how
quickly Vine, the Twitter-owned mobile app launched only
in January 2013, has
been embraced by journalists to capture instantaneous
video clips and provide timely news coverage.
Consider how these
developments have already impacted the everyday routines
of print journalists, who are now expected to possess
the capability to capture live video footage while
covering breaking news on the ground — even in
situations where they only have their smartphones at
their disposal. Indeed, the breadth of mobile technology
advances available today are staggering, ranging from
smartphone video apps that enable reporters to edit
their footage while on the move to equipment that can be
easily deployed to set up a robust satellite connection
from anywhere.
As digital tools evolve,
journalists expect to have access to portable devices
that are capable of delivering broadcast-quality content
on par with that captured from remote broadcasting
equipment. Major news outlets can also tap on the latest
technology to facilitate news gathering in a more
economical and less time-consuming manner. No longer do
they need to deploy an entire team of reporters and a
satellite newsgathering (SNG) truck to deliver breaking
news as it happens. Using his or her mobile device, a
single journalist is now able to provide reliable news
coverage and accommodate 24-hour news cycles without the
need for expensive equipment.
In this respect, the role of
satellite as a key enabler for journalists and public
citizens to report and broadcast from anywhere cannot be
underestimated. Satellite technology provides a
significant advantage in allowing journalists to operate
with Internet access when outside of cellular coverage,
and to make use of their personal devices to stay
connected at all times.
Pushing the boundaries
with wearable devices
Another key development that
underpins how new technology will continue to open up
the possibilities of newsgathering is the advent of
wearable devices among journalistic circles. Mobility is
an important consideration for on-the-ground news
reporting, and wearable technology such as Google Glass
provide journalists with greater flexibility and new
levels of technical sophistication.
Journalists have started
exploring the broadcasting capabilities of hands-free
wearable technology to capture breaking-news video
footages without having to hold and operate a camera. As
the next breakthrough in mobility, the wearable
technology trend has already captured the imagination of
many. In May 2014, CNN became the first news agency to
embrace the use of Google Glass by its iReport network
of citizen journalists to submit stories, photos and
video content.
Another innovative feature of
wearable recording devices is that they enable
journalists to present a first-person perspective — to
literally put the audiences at the scene of a street
protest, for instance, experienced through the eyes of a
reporter. To be sure, this cannot be achieved in the
absence of connectivity.
Satellite has a pivotal role
to play in empowering professional journalists to stay
relevant in today’s technology-driven media environment
— regardless of devices, location, and the network they
are operating on. Thuraya will continue working closely
with our partners and solution developers to establish
an entire ecosystem to foster new technology and
applications for journalists to deliver breaking news
from the most challenging environments.
About the author:
John Huddle, Head of Media & Broadcast, Market
Development. With over 12 years’ experience in the
satellite industry, John leads the development and
execution of Thuraya’s MediaComms product line including
global market strategy, pricing, and operating plans.
