The pre-eminence that digital journalism has already had is on its way to new heights in a world that will open up to the “new normal”, focusing on online technologies to spread news and content of greater value, such as those that have traditionally been the strong side of the printed press.
These quality inputs are precisely those that the digital sphere has suffered, since its major use has been to serve as an instant news channel aimed at an audience saturated with textual or audiovisual information, or as an open space for digital socialization.
Therefore, the greatest challenge of this digital journalism is about taking advantage of the formidable impact it has in front of a massive audience eager to know everything that goes on with the world, whilst adding the values of quality, depth and usefulness, duly sifted by the filters of truth and accuracy, a legacy inherited by the traditional but professional written press.
As they become the kings of the global audiences, digital news media have to take advantage of the fine precedents that the professional labors of journalism entail, which include cross-platform connections with printed newspapers of celebrated reliability, credibility and prestige, most of which will be forced to anchor due to the current crisis that has shaken their foundations.
They’re challenged to go out and exceed the simple parameters of breaking news and adapt, give additional value to their content and, of course, avoid manipulations, false or unproven data, so they can gain reliability and credibility, which is so far lacking for the most part.
Teleworking, a circumstantial opportunity generated from the forced confinement of people during the current pandemic, has been the engine of the extraordinary growth for digital media before a captive audience.
Once this phase is over, digital journals must be conceived as more realistic and closer to the public. However, having editors settling within their four walls and before their screens is not enough. The sole use of big data and artificial intelligence simply can’t reproduce the truly and authentic experience of our reality at the streets and other primary sources of news of interest.
So, digital wave number two carries such potential to impregnate the informative contents with the deepening and analysis of all causes and consequences, in styles inherited from the written press towards an unification of both platforms that goes beyond immediacy.
– Translated from Spanish by Randy Rodriguez.
Director's Thoughts 