The Effect of Cell Phones on News Reporting
Cell phones have democratized news reporting, as anyone with a cellular connection can instantaneously report breaking news without waiting for the filter of a reporter or news organization. Of course, professional news organizations also have benefited since reporters can report directly from the scene with a simple telephone.
Other People Are Reading
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Professionals Only
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News professionals--reporters and editors--benefited greatly from early cell phones, as reporters could phone newsrooms directly from news events without having to travel back to the newsroom or find a pay phone to file live, breaking news.
Amateurs, Too
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As the popularity of cell phones spread, news organizations such as CNN "democratized" part of their news gathering operations, allowing citizens to phone in "i-reports" or other similar on-the-scene testimonials.
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Extra Vigilance for Accuracy
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Because cell phones allow on-the-spot reporting, editors must be extra vigilant to ensure accuracy. Sometimes, breaking news does not allow time to double-check facts, which could lead to errors.
International Calling
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As cellular phones have spread internationally, journalists and regular citizens in developing countries have taken up the cell phone as a tool for rooting out waste and getting to the bottom of what's happening in their countries.
Not Just Cell Phones Anymore
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The Internet is usurping the cell phone as the mass media of choice, as more people--professionals and amateurs--file reports from Web cams, camera phones and other bits of new technology, shaking up all forms of media and bringing more unfiltered news to the people, not just through mainstream news organizations, but also through blogs and other personal sites.
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