People use the internet far more than they watch television. It’s the source of all forms of information, and a quick way to access what you want. And, on the flip side, this means businesses or organisations can use websites to ensure visitors become hooked on what they provide and via easy formats such as film.
The British Government have employed these tactics creating several websites interlinked but which all use different formats to catch potential audiences. The traditional website (www.number-10.gov.uk) holds information on issues, press releases, events and biographies but there is also a link to their sight dedicated to screening important films – the ‘Downing Street YouTube Channel’ (www.youtube.com/downingst).
The film which greets you today as you navigate to the page is David Beckham talking about Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s visit to his football academy, and the film provides the perfect platform to demonstrate both the good work of Mr Beckham and Mr Brown.
Sites such as these break down the presenter-audience barrier which is sometimes associated with mainstream televised news. The casual format places the PM into his discussion with the background being a football pitch, not the interior of the Houses of Parliament, making both him and the topic more personable. Combined with this the non-intrusive film technique means the PM appears casual and relaxed in a way formal interviews for the news may make him appear defensive.
Films are also a good way of attracting new audiences as they are succinct; illustrating the story behind them and make the topic accessible. Not restricted by deadlines, the films can last for several minutes, allowing information to breath.
There are, however, several drawbacks to consider, and mainly for us, the journalist. With so many websites enabling people to watch or upload their own films it does, to some extent, make the journalist slightly redundant.
The films bring the story to life, and provide a more in-depth analysis making the topic easier to comprehend. Mainstream news can never compete with this as the format is there to be observed, not interacted with, and only a few seconds can be allocated to people of authority to get their point across. Sites which convey information through film also have the distinct advantage of being in control of their output and make it available at any time of the day, while journalists must legally keep the argument balanced and adhere to schedule restrictions.
It is not implausible to consider that scheduled news, in the future, may be relocated to the internet for people to opt in or out of, creating their own running order from a list of uploaded stories. It may be convenient to users but will it create a world of journalism baron of journalists as the citizen begins to take over newsgathering. Will this give the consumer more freedom about the type of news they watch and listen to, or will it destroy the connectivity people gain through news and the discussions they have about it?
Indeed what will it mean to the British Government? Scheduled news guarantees an audience, but if people are able to opt in to what they want, they are also able to opt out.
Transposing televised news to internet interactivity could be more of a balancing act than we first assumed.
The British Government have employed these tactics creating several websites interlinked but which all use different formats to catch potential audiences. The traditional website (www.number-10.gov.uk) holds information on issues, press releases, events and biographies but there is also a link to their sight dedicated to screening important films – the ‘Downing Street YouTube Channel’ (www.youtube.com/downingst).
The film which greets you today as you navigate to the page is David Beckham talking about Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s visit to his football academy, and the film provides the perfect platform to demonstrate both the good work of Mr Beckham and Mr Brown.
Sites such as these break down the presenter-audience barrier which is sometimes associated with mainstream televised news. The casual format places the PM into his discussion with the background being a football pitch, not the interior of the Houses of Parliament, making both him and the topic more personable. Combined with this the non-intrusive film technique means the PM appears casual and relaxed in a way formal interviews for the news may make him appear defensive.
Films are also a good way of attracting new audiences as they are succinct; illustrating the story behind them and make the topic accessible. Not restricted by deadlines, the films can last for several minutes, allowing information to breath.
There are, however, several drawbacks to consider, and mainly for us, the journalist. With so many websites enabling people to watch or upload their own films it does, to some extent, make the journalist slightly redundant.
The films bring the story to life, and provide a more in-depth analysis making the topic easier to comprehend. Mainstream news can never compete with this as the format is there to be observed, not interacted with, and only a few seconds can be allocated to people of authority to get their point across. Sites which convey information through film also have the distinct advantage of being in control of their output and make it available at any time of the day, while journalists must legally keep the argument balanced and adhere to schedule restrictions.
It is not implausible to consider that scheduled news, in the future, may be relocated to the internet for people to opt in or out of, creating their own running order from a list of uploaded stories. It may be convenient to users but will it create a world of journalism baron of journalists as the citizen begins to take over newsgathering. Will this give the consumer more freedom about the type of news they watch and listen to, or will it destroy the connectivity people gain through news and the discussions they have about it?
Indeed what will it mean to the British Government? Scheduled news guarantees an audience, but if people are able to opt in to what they want, they are also able to opt out.
Transposing televised news to internet interactivity could be more of a balancing act than we first assumed.
STATISTICS
On the 16th January 2008 the Downing Street Channel has had 2838 subscribers and 280,814 visitors to date. This will almost definitely increase as more people take advantage of the different formats available for them to use on the internet to get their story across.
CHECK OUT
See how the traditional government website:
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/
http://www.number-10.gov.uk/
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