So, in the haze of all the confusion, I have decided promote my own dissertation plans here on Twenty-one and Invincible, in the hope that my fellow students and university graduates will perhaps manage to help me on this epic journey of in-depth analysis and evaluation.
After receiving feedback on my original draft proposal, I was made aware that some areas of my idea needed clarification, and that I needed to focus on one acute aspect of my issue of debate, in order to produce a viable question for my dissertation in my third year.
Originally, I had decided to investigate the possible affects of tabloidisation in a broadsheet newspaper’s online news forum, and the possible affects on the professional practice of the journalists within this sector of the industry. However, during discussions with my dissertation supervisor, I have been advised to move my focus away from the issue of tabloidisation (as it would have been necessary for me to complete a workplace ethnography in a national broadsheet newspaper), and focus instead on the idea of the news media’s use of online news platforms.
Therefore, I have chosen to investigate how the Birmingham Post uses its online platform to engage further with it’s readers – as I realised upon further reflection that it might be more appropriate to conduct my study within a regional newspaper, as this would make my study more specific and enable me to get closer to the organisation I want to study.
It was also brought to my attention that my original question did not make a clear point about which aspect of the news site is was attempting to investigate, as it could have been the institution, the audience or the text itself. Therefore, I have decided to focus mainly on the institution of the UK regional online news media, but in order to answer investigate this area fully I will need to consider in-depth the text itself (i.e. what is provided on the online news platforms), as well as the audience’s response to this.
Having addressed the issues highlighted by the feedback I received on my original proposal for my dissertation, I have now devised the following question:
“How are regional newspapers using their online platforms to extend their services to their readers, and how does this help to combat the issues currently facing the regional press? A case study of the Birmingham Post & Mail”
Justification of my choices
I have chosen to investigate this area of study as I have become increasingly aware of the use of online platforms within the news media, and I am interested to learn how this is changing and affecting the UK news media, and why the regional press have chosen to move more of their content online.
I have chosen to focus my study specifically around the area of online news, as this is the source from which most of my personal interaction with the news media comes from. I am also concerned with the issue of online news media, as this is an area of the media industry I am interested in pursuing a career in after my graduation, and my dissertation may be able to highlight some issues within the career path I am currently considering, which would be beneficial to me on a personal level.
I have already taken courses in Journalism in Practice and Journalism in Context during my first and second year at university, and I am taking a course in Professional Journalism during my third year. Each of these will give me the prerequisites to be able to analyse the overall institution of the regional press. I have also taken a course in Online Journalism during my second year, which will allow me to assess the specifics of online news media – particularly in comparison with print news media.
My question tackles the real world issue of the use of the internet within the news media; an area which I feel holds a lot of weight in terms of discovering more about the news media industry, and more about how the audience of the regional press interact with their chosen news source. I have also discovered that other past third year students’ have created dissertations based on some of the aspects of tabloidisation (all sourced from www.UCEEL.com). Some of these previous dissertations are entitled as follows:
· What impact does online news have upon audience interpretation and responses to local news stories? A study of community news discourse in Reading
· How have the audiences’ perceptions and expectations of print journalism changed due to the proliferation of online news services?
Although some of these previous academic studies have been based around a similar idea to that which I am proposing, most have focused on the audiences’ reaction to online news production - none have looked directly into how online news platforms are assisting the institution behind them. I feel this could be considered to be a gap scholarly knowledge, which I intend to reinterpret and update.
Theoretical Frameworks and Secondary Resources
My revised dissertation question is based around three theoretical frameworks, which are:
- Online news media
- Issues facing the regional press
- Audience interaction with the internet
Within each part of my theoretical framework, I have sourced numerous secondary published materials that I will build on during the course of my dissertation. In regards to the issue of online news media, I have sourced a book by Pablo J. Boczkowski, entitled “Digitizing the news: innovation in online newspapers”. This would be a great source of knowledge for me to build a solid understanding of how the online news media has formed and grown over the years. I have also sourced a further five books - “Journalism online” by Mike Ward, “Online journalism: principles and practices of news for the Web” by James C. Foust, “Online news: journalism and the Internet” by Stuart Allan, “Online news and the public” edited by Michael B. Salwen, Bruce Garrison, Paul D. Driscoll, and “The penetration of online news: past, present and future” by An Nguyen – which I believe will all enable me to have a full and broad understanding and knowledge of the practices within online journalism, and allow me to gain some understanding as to how the online news media is received by its audience.
When considering the issues facing the regional press, I have sourced a book entitled “Reaching the regions : regional newspaper facts & figures” by Lynne Gardiner – which will give me a great starting point for understanding as much as possible about the current state of the regional press in the UK. I have also sourced a book by D.H. Simpson, entitled “Commercialisation of the regional press: the development of monopoly, profit and control”. I believe this would enable me to understand some of the issues facing the regional press and why they have chosen to move more content online. I have sourced a final book around this particular subject area, entitled “Local journalism and local media : making the local news” edited by Bob Franklin, which I believe will allow me a greater insight into the recent developments and future prospects for Britain's local newspapers, local media and local journalism.
Many of the books listed above will be able to give me an insight into how audiences respond and interact with the online sector of the regional news media industry, but I have also found a book entitled “The interplay of influence : news, advertising, politics, and the Internet” by Kathleen Hall Jamieson, which discusses the influence of the mass media on audiences, as well as giving some insight into the social aspects involved in online news.
Primary Research Method
I have conducted a week-long workplace ethnography at the Birmingham Post & Mail recently . I believe this has allowed me to have a fuller understanding of the issues facing the regional press and how this particular institution is using its online news platform to extend its services to it’s readers, and possibly generate more interest in it’s product. The workplace ethnography has provided me with primary data to support my secondary resources. I am hopeful that a combination of my workplace ethnography and a detailed review of my secondary sources will enable me to discover how the regional press are using the advantages of the internet to engage further with their readers, and will enable me to find out whether or not their online news platforms are helping to combat some of the current issues facing the regional press.
I have a mountain of books in my room which I have been ruthlessly studying since Christmas, and I am finally managing to piece together a legitimate plan for my dissertation, but I would really appreciate any insight into how best to structure my writing, and please feel free to point out any gaps you may have spotted in my proposal?
Who knows, you could be helping me write a first class piece of investigative journalistic research. I've got a long way to go, but as with Tesco's good old motto...every little helps!
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