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Journalism 2.0: Journalist View about Media Information Service Trends in
Karachi, Pakistan
Muhammad Yousuf Ali
Sindh Madresatul Islam University
Pakistan
Kiran Kaur
University of Malaya
Malaysia
ABSTRACT: Newspapers are one of essential vehicles of information
dissemination in modern times. Technological changes have reshaped traditional
newspapers into e-newspapers and blogs. Readers’ live comments on news
stories directly change the phenomena of news-making and readership.
Changing paradigms from paper to paperless environment also create
challenges for journalists. This paper analyzed attitudes of journalists towards
online published news and feedback. The findings show that journalists in
Karachi, Pakistan use Web 2.0 tools very effective for their professional
assignments, information gathering, reports and article preparation, and
research project for their readers.
I. Introduction
Journalism 2.0 is used to reference the Web 2.0 technologies such as blogging, audio, video, RSS
social networks, and online reporting tools that journalists use through the web. Journalism is an
information-based industry. It stands on the foundation of information. Professionals working in
newspaper organizations need current, authoritative, and factual information to construct news.
To fulfill these needs, journalists use many sources and channels of information, such as
libraries, information centers, record centers, and the Internet. Online services provide a huge
amount of information. Journalism consists of different segments, such as news, reporting,
editing, and columns. The archetype shift from manual to virtual segments did not occur until
2004. Web 2.0 technology has made significant changes in the professional journalism. And
readers’ influence on news has set a different stance. Users are ready to input their comments,
views, and opinions on any news, which directly impacts the readership of newspaper and value
of stories.
Paulussen, Heinonen, Domingo, and Quandt (2007) advocated using Web 2.0 to interact with
Chinese Librarianship: an International Electronic Journal, 39. URL: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl39AK.pdf
41
social media sources for online routine news coverage. They suggested that it is a phenomenon
adapted from the Web 2.0 technologies (e.g., blogging, RSS, podcasting, and social media
network) in the field of journalism known as journalism 2.0. It has played a crucial role to
convert news to information and vice versa. Below is a model describing how Journalism 2.0
works from both the journalist’s and the reader’s perspectives:
In Pakistan, online newspaper reading rate has been increasing in recent years. All Pakistan
Newspaper Society (APNS) approved 73 daily newspapers published in Karachi. About 38
newspapers (in English, Urdu, and Sindhi) publish their e-papers along with their printed ones.
Online e-paper publishing indicates that Journalism 2.0 has influenced the professional life of
journalists. Web 2.0 tools (e.g., blogging, social media, video sharing, Wikis, SMS, and e-mail
services) have made significance influences in the profession of journalism, too. Web blogging is
also an open forum for reporters and readers to learn about new stories and make opinions or
comments so newsmakers know how and in which dimension they should move.
II. Literature Review
Abdul-Majeed (2008) observed that readers commented on various news sites using Journalism
2.0 tools. Rebillard and Touboul (2010) highlighted how editorship was converted to current
journalism in Web 2.0. Chinn (2001) and Ansari and Zubari (2011) explored the information
seeking behavior and information needs of journalists. Harrison and Barthel (2009) suggested
vital role of content construction and dimension of media in respect of users- generated contents.
Paulussen, Heinonen, Domingo, and Quandt (2007) deemed Journalism 2.0 as citizen media
among European countries. Cochrane, Sissons, Mulrennan, and Pamatatau (2013) observed the
impact of social media upon journalism education in teaching methodology, Web 2.0, and
mobile technology. Macnamara (2012) critically analyzed the characteristics of proactive social
media with respect to public relations and amalgamation of Web 2.0-3.0. Payne (2008) found out
that public relations are keen to adopt the technology of Web 2.0 technologies and tools.
Hermida (2012) observed the positive role of social media in reshaping journalism.
Franklin (2012) described the challenges and threat journalism profession has in respect to
technological changes and innovation. Sorapure (2010) showed some positive impact of free
Journalism 2.0
News Information Online/e-Newspaper
Journalist Reader
E-Newspaper
Online Journalism
Refine News & Info.
News Editing
News sharing
Comments
Updates
Image/Video Sharing Reader circle
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42
online interaction tools like Web 2.0 on scholars and researcher writings skills. Spyridou,
Matsiola, Veglis, Kalliris, and Dimoulas (2013) pointed out that new skills, ideas, and practices
are emerging with social media in relation to the journalism profession. Gonzalez-Bailon (2009)
analyzed readers from different websites of news media with economics content. According to
Reich (2008), online participation empowers ordinary citizens and consumers to have greater
voices and influence in shaping society and democratization.
Giannakoulopoulos and Varlamis (2009) stated that civic journalism in news-oriented websites is
becoming an important part of contemporary media. Aitamurto and Lewis (2013) elaborated
continuous negotiation between openness and open application program to interface (APIS).
Cochrane and Antonczak (2013) identified the outcome of a mobile community of practices
(MOBCOP), reifying the development of social media environment. Leuven and Raevmaeckers
(2011) stressed that a growing impact of commercialization in the media sector is an increased
use of institutional source and prepackage information via digital media to control editorial
content. Cruz and Fernandes (2011) explored animated scenario in 3D atmosphere journalism.
Poteet (2000) researched on the use of online sources by journalists of two American
metropolitan newspaper journalists.
III. Problem Statement
Literature review above reveals a gap between professional journalism trends and attitudes about
journalists in Karachi on Web 2.0 technologies. This paper tried to disclose how journalists use
Web 2.0 technology and what impact it has on newspaper publishing.
IV. Objectives of the Study
The general objective of the study is to determine the role of journalists in Web 2.0 environment
and its impact on news making and media information Services. More specific objectives are as
follows:
To determine which type of Journalism 2.0 information is needed for the profession
To investigate the usage of different tools of Web 2.0 in news making and newspaper publishing
To explore journalists’ top priority of Web 2.0 needs
To determine the use of information sources by journalists
V. Research Methodology
The targeted population for this study was journalists and news professional in Karachi,
Pakistan. Random sampling is used for selecting participants. A survey methodology is adopted
for the study.
A closed-ended questionnaire was developed as an instrument for data collection. A pilot study
was conducted to ensure that the structure of the questions and choices provided is appropriate
for the participants.
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VI. Data Analysis and Discussion
179 professional journalists from various newspaper publishing houses in Karachi, Pakistan
participated in this survey. The collected data were analyzed with different statistical tools in
SPSS-19.
1. Respondents’ Demography
1.1. Language
Of the 179 professional journalists participated in this survey, 91 (50.80%) were from Urdu
language newspapers, 57 (31.80%) from English language newspapers, and 31 (17.40%) from
Sindhi language newspapers. (See Table 1).
Table 1. Newspaper Language
Language Frequency Percent
Urdu 91 50.80%
English 57 31.80%
Sindhi 31 17.40%
Tota
l:
179
Mean=1.66 & SD=0.757
1.2. Gender
Of the 179 professional journalists participated in this survey, 127 (70.90%) were male and 52
(29.10%) were female. (See Table 2)
Urdu, 91
English, 57
Sindhi, 31
Urdu Language
English Language
Sindhi Language
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Table 2. Participants’ Gender
Gender Frequency Percent
Male 127 70.90%
Female 52 29.10%
Total: 179
5
Mean=1.29, SD=.455
1.3. Experiences
Most participants have a professional degree in mass communications/journalism. The rest held a
Master’s degree in different subjects such as Urdu, English, international relations, history, etc.
They had received on-job training and were successful in their profession. The participants were
asked about their job experiences. (See Table 3)
Table 3. Participants’ Experience
Experience Frequency Percent
0-3 Year 54 30.20%
4-6 Year 65 36.30%
7-10 Year 35 19.60%
11- 15 Year 10 5.60%
16-20 Year 07 3.80%
20 plus 08 04.50%
179
Mean =2.30 & SD=1.306
Male, 127
Female, 52
Gender
Male
Female
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1.4. Positions
The participants have different positions at the newspaper publishing houses in Karachi,
Pakistan. (See Table 4)
Table 4. Participants Designation
Position Frequency Percent
Editor 15 08.4%
Columnists 21
11.70%
Author 17 09.50%
Assistant Editor 32 17.90%
Sub Editor 52 23.50%
Reporter 79 29.00%
179
N=179, Mean = 4.23 & SD 1.636
0-3 Year, 54
4-6 Year, 65
7-10 Year, 35
11- 15 Year, 10
16-20 Year, 7 20 plus, 8
Frequency
0-3 Year
4-6 Year
7-10 Year
11- 15 Year
16-20 Year
20 plus
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2. Usage of Journalism 2.0 Tools
Journalists use various types of Journalism 2.0 tools for professional assignments like article
preparation, research information, reports, entertainment, and other purposes.
2.1. Journalism 2.0 Tools
Table 5. Journalism 2.0 Tools (N=179)
Variable Mean SD Rank
E-mail .97 .18 1
RSS .40 .491 6
Blogging .35 .479 7
Social Media Network .89 .309 2
Wikis .27 .444 9
Video Sharing .68 .467 3
Image Sharing .33 .471 8
Skype Online Interview .53 .501 5
Instant Messengers .54 .50 4
Table 5 shows that participants use email services most (mean = 0.97, SD = 0.18), followed by
social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus (mean = .89, SD = 0.309), videos
sharing and clips (mean = 0.68, SD = 0.467), instant messengers (mean 0.54, SD = 0.50), Skype
(mean = 0.53, SD = 0.501), RSS feeds (mean 0.40, SD = 0.491), blogging (mean = 0.35, SD =
0.479), image sharing (mean = 0.33, SD = 0.471), and Wikis (mean = 0.27, SD = 0.444).
Editor, 15 Columnists, 21
Author, 17
Assistant Editor, 32
Sub Editor, 52
Reporter, 79
Frequency
Editor
Columnists
Author
Assistant Editor
Sub Editor
Reporter
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2.2. Purposes of Usage
Table 6. Purposes of Using Journalism 2.0 (N=179)
Usage Mean SD Rank
Information 0.64 0.481 1
Article/ Report Preparation 0.63 0.484 2
Research 0.50 0.501 3
Entertainment 0.39 0.489 5
Other 0 .43 0.496 4
Table 6 shows that participants use Journalism 2.0 mostly for information purpose (mean =
0.64), SD = 0.481), followed by article and report preparation (mean = 0.63, SD = 0.484),
research (mean = 0.5, SD = 0.501), other purposes (mean = 0.43, SD = 0.496), and entertainment
(mean = 0.39, SD = 0.489).
2.3. Learning Mode
Regarding the learning mode of Web 2.0, 109 (60.9%) journalists learn about 2.0 tools by
themselves, 53 (29.6%) from colleagues and friends, and 17 (9.5%) through professional
training. (See Table 7)
Table 7. Learning Mode of Information (N=179)
Learning Mode Frequency Percent
Self-Learning 109 60.9 Friends & Colleagues 53 29.6
Professional Training 17 9.5 Total 179 100
Self-Learning, 109
Friends & Colleagues,
53
Profession Training, 17
Self-Learning
Friends & Colleagues
Profession Training
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3. Media Information Service Trends in Journalism 2.0
The participants were asked about the impact of Journalism 2.0 on newspaper readership.
Table 8. Impact of Journalism 2.0 on Newspaper Readership
Variables Scales Mean SD Rank
1 2 3 4 5
Web 2.0 is the best medium to
increase newspaper readership.
78 61 13 20 7 1.98 1.146 5
Web 2.0 is the best medium to
facilitate communications between
readership and authors, editors,
reporters or columnists.
54 55 28 19 23 2.45 1.358 2
Social media allows for feedbacks
and comments from readership on
news items.
61 64 16 23 15 2.26 1.281 4
You are competent with
Journalism 2.0.
44 39 23 40 33 3.24 1.469 1
Social media has a positive role in
Pakistani journalism.
92 32 24 15 16 2.288 1.340 3
Scales: (1 = strongly Agree, 2 = Agree, 3 = Moderate, 4 = Disagree, 5 = strongly Disagree)
Table 8 shows the trends of Journalism 2.0 and the positive impact of Web 2.0 on newspaper
readership. Journalism 2.0 competency ranks no. 1 (mean = 3.24, SD = 1.469, followed by Web
2.0 facilitating communications between readership and authors, editors, reports or columnists
(mean = 2.45, SD = 1.358), social media’s positive role in Pakistani journalism (mean = 2.288,
SD = 1.34), social media enabling feedbacks and comments from readership on news items
(mean = 2.26, SD = 1.281), and Web 2.0’s contribution to the increase of newspaper readership
(mean=1.98, SD=1.146).
VII. Conclusion
Journalism is an information-oriented profession. Professional journalists are a group of people
who produce news for the readership. Due to time constraint, they must gather and verify the
validity of information quickly as well as seeking feedbacks and comments from the readership.
Web 2.0 tools come handy and become part of their daily routine.
Most journalists in Karachi, Pakistan agree that social media have played a positive role in
journalism and contributed to the increase of newspaper readership in the digital age.
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Authors:
Mr Muhammad Yousuf Ali, Deputy Librarian, Sindh Madresatul Islam University, Karachi
74000, Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected]
Dr. Kiran Kaur, Head of the Department, Senior Lecturer, currently the Head of Department of
Library & Information Science at the Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology,
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. E-mail: [email protected]
Submitted to CLIEJ on 6 January 2015.
Copyright © 2015 Muhammad Yousuf Ali & Kiran Kaur
Ali, Muhammad Yousuf; & Kaur, Kiran. (2015). Journalism 2.0: Journalist view about media
information service trends in Karachi, Pakistan. Chinese Librarianship: an International
Electronic Journal, 39. URL: http://www.iclc.us/cliej/cl38AK.pdf
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