Now and then: Technologies improve media work

2016-04-13 07:50

By (chinadaily.com.cn)

Now and then: Technologies improve media work

This photo published in China Daily on April 12, 1993, shows that "experts show Chinese journalists how to use the computer." "In the near future, Chinese journalists are expected to be equipped with computers, which are popular among Western newsmen." [Photo/China Daily]

Technology and the internet have helped bring tremendous changes to the country's media landscape.

One of the latest tools in the evolution of digital journalism is the 360-degree virtual reality camera － which provided fresh perspectives for reports on the annual two sessions of China's top legislature and political advisory body last month.

The novel technology takes viewers closer to the news. Media groups, such as China Central Television, Xinhua News Agency and Caijing magazine, adopted the virtual reality technology, also known as VR, to cover the major conferences and meetings.

The popularity of smartphones and online platforms continues to change the way news and information are gathered. Many people now help provide news content, such as photos and videos, to record important moments in real time.

Media apps, such as mobile news application Toutiao, are nearly as popular as instant messaging players such as WeChat and QQ.

Robots and machines might be next. Many pundits talk about the use of "automation technology", initially in generating business news, in the journalism of the future.

Peter Sondergaard, senior vice-president and head of global research at Gartner，the US-based IT research and advisory firm，said that AI programs can now write basic financial reports and sports news reports once done by journalists.