New and emerging technologies are changing the way journalists gather and present news stories. There's no doubt the Internet has been the largest technological advancement ever! Journalists can now access information from sources all over the world accumulating in broader and more detailed information in just seconds! This is very different from the practices journalists used in the pre- Internet age.

Journalists relied upon their own investigative skills like interviewing witnesses, taking notes and thinking outside the box when gathering information on the story.



Secondly, the competition for stories is ever increasing with hundred's of rival newspapers all vying for that front page headline. Arriving first at a location can be of huge significance, a prime viewing location or a first interview can make or break a story. This is seeing companies acquiring high powered Cars, Helicopters and even Aeroplanes to get their as quickly as possible. The traditional way of getting to a story is to drive their in a car when learning of a breaking story, however the Internet has made people demand the news as soon as possible so other forms of transport are expected.

Presentation of news stories have changed from one feature article stretching over several pages but the technological advances in computer imaging allows smaller fonts, clearer ( smaller sized) pictures allowing more room for advertisements resulting in more money for the companies.

New technologies are rapidly revolutionising how news is gathered and illustrated to the audience across the world.

The News Media Industry provides a 360 degree view of what's happening in the world today. Terrifying attacks, economic collapse, celebrity deaths and sporting triumphs are just the beginning when referring to news media.

The aim of the News Media Industry is to inform and entertain the audience.

Unfortunately the News Media Industry is a business, therefore they publish what is going to sell and keep the readers... reading. This makes for false and blown out stories.

However without the News Media Indusrty we wouldn't know nearly as much about our world as we do.

By Jake Morgan

Class Activity

Gangland War's on Sydney' Streets
Two men, aged 24 and 25, were gunned down last night in Sydney's exclusive Rocks precinct
when more than twenty shots were fired from semi automatic handguns at close range.

Police fear this latest incident may provoke an escalation in Sydney's gang war while

NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden has accused the government of letting gun crime spiral out of control.

"Bob Carr has run out of excuses," Brogden said.

"His policing strategies aren't working when criminals thinks shooting people in highly populated, tourist areas is easy."

Police are searching for four men in regard to the murders.

State of Play, a Hollywood remake of the six part BBC series of 2003, opens with plenty of enthralling action in the cold, damp, back alleys of Washington DC with a scared teenage boy frantically running through shops, around dumpsters and into fences while gripping a briefcase in his hand.

He takes cover amongst rubbish bins and looks like he might escape from whoever is chasing him until... A bullet nails him in the forehead. The mystery murderer flees off into the gloomy streets carrying the briefcase and the scene is set for a rollercoaster thriller... or is it?


Directed by Kevin Macdonald, written by Tony Gilroy, Matthew Michael Carnahan and Billy Ray, State of Play fails to deliver the fast paced action of the opening scene. Only with the introduction of sleazebag,Dominic Foy (Jason Bateman, Juno, Starsky & Hutch), does the movie recapture the the pace and intrigue of the opening scene. Bateman brings a effortless arrogance and sleaze which contrasts well with Cal McCaffrey's unkempt attire and Della Frye's spunky blog nerd (Russel Crowe and Rachel McAdams), These two central characters have been tasked with interrogating Foy over a possible link between Cal's longtime friend Congressman Stephen Collins (Ben Affleck), the murder of his head researcher and two other murders.

It should be riveting, on the edge of your seat stuff, but unfortunatley the movie alternates between crime and political intrigue in such a way that it confuses the already confusing plot even more.

Despite this the terrific character performances from veteran actors (Helen Mirren and Jeff Daniels) are worth the admission price alone. Mirren plays Cal and Della's boss while Daniels is a shady congressman who is eventually at the forefront the political melee.

Overall, however, the film lacks the suspense that thrillers rely upon, partly because the musical score is lacking conviction at crucial periods.

And while the latter stages of the film are intense with every part of the plot culminating in one big climax, fitting of a Hollywood production, the film loses its edge after too many plot twists.

Having said that, its relateable characters and brilliant acting makes State of Play A gripping suspenseful thriller worthy of a watch. Three out of five stars.

By Jake Morgan.