This creates a number of problems: (a) news saturation, (b) news overexposure, and (c) news fatigue. Multiplatform journalism in the round-the-clock broadcasting has transformed the media ecosystem bringing with it new challenges that threaten the credibility of journalism. One of the most significant issues is the accelerated publication cycles of online journalism, which increase the risk of editorial errors and misinformation. The pressure to publish news stories as quickly as possible can cause mistakes and inaccuracies, resulting in reputational damage for media organisations and a loss of trust among their audience. The avoidance of news threatens the role of the media in supporting citizens to make informed decisions and participate in public debate, thus weakening democracy. The abundance of data leads to mental exhaustion.,
(4) New Media Ecosystem: This is attributable to a plethora of broadcast and broadband multiplatform and multichannel platforms, is overshadowed by a host of changes; media balkanisation, audience fragmentation, community division, niche creation, rampant acquisition or merging of media ownerships, decline of print media, citizen tribalisation, users transmigration, social media-domination and ideological polarisation of the Internet. This paradigm shift challenges professional journalists, citizen journalists, content users and producers who have accelerated the profusion of computer-mediated content. The role and relationship of professional journalists and citizen journalists are characterised by both collaboration and tension, reflecting the dynamic evolution of media ecosystems.
(5) Mental Exhaustion: Adenosine’s Role in Mental Fatigue: It is useful to understand how the mind works and its inherent limitations before we explore the contemporary concomitant opportunities and challenges of the advanced and networked world of convergence. It weakens the processing capability of the human brain which is impressive but limited with the constraints of conscious awareness, just like digitalisation is dependent upon the hardware and software. The difference in processing speed between the brain at 11 million bits per second and the mind’s conscious processing abilities at 40-50 bits per second causes the brain to resort to cognitive shortcuts or heuristics. Despite these reliefs the strained brain is under severe pressure which results in mental fatigue.
(6) Participatory Culture: The emergence of an unprecedented sphere has been facilitated by low or cost-free barriers to entry. The inherent dilemma overshadows the gestalt of participatory audiences and media. Jenkins (2006) argues that participatory culture also involves a sense of social connection among members, who believe that their contributions matter about the opinions of others. (Jenkins et al. 2006). If Jenkins’s statement were true the media would not have been balkanised nor the audience tribalised.
(7) The Contemporary Digital Landscape: This is ‘itself converging, diverging and complicating’ (Livingstone, 2013). Our templated world, screen culture, and multi-platformed media call for new competencies to deal with innovative forms of technology, protocol and information. These changes necessitate: a shift towards networked literacies and CT about the online environment to empower individuals to be active citizens. Tim Lott (9.01.2015) warns; ‘an electronic apocalypse is coming unless we act now.’
(8) The Digital Sphere: This is enabled by digital convergence and riddled with neologisms such as ‘manufactured consent,’ ‘manipulative content,’ and ‘bot-manipulated’ content, has redefined our societal relationships worldwide. This transformation has significantly impacted the traditional values, principles, and standards of legacy media. Legacy media, also known as mass media, traditional media, or old media, has been ironically undermined, with the digital sphere thriving at the expense of public interest. Legacy media, particularly public service broadcasting—now reincarnated as ‘Public Service Media’—prioritises a just, equitable, inclusive, and participatory audience in a vibrant democracy. However, with the rapid and uncritical adoption of social media (SM), it is questionable whether public service media can evolve as an indispensable element for developing civic engagement in a social democracy rather than in a predominantly liberal democracy.
(9) The Illusion of simplified news gathering: The implication of this for journalism is impacting. When the disruptive transformation of the media ecology unfolded, many assumed that the proliferation of multi-platform channels would simplify the task of news gathering. The logic seemed sound: more platforms would mean more sources, perspectives, and tools at the disposal of journalists. However, the reality has proven to be far more complex and paradoxical. Instead of fostering diversity and originality, the digital landscape has given rise to a phenomenon where the same content is repeated or replicated across the internet.
(10) This homogenisation of news: This stems from several factors. Firstly, the intense competition for clicks and engagement has driven media outlets to prioritise speed over depth, resulting in the recycling of headlines and stories. Secondly, algorithm-driven content aggregation amplifies the visibility of trending topics while sidelining nuanced or lesser-known narratives. Finally, the pressure to constantly produce content has led many journalists to rely on wire services or pre-packaged press releases, further diminishing originality.
For journalists, content replication poses a unique challenge. It not only undermines the public’s trust in media but also makes it increasingly difficult to identify unique angles and deliver meaningful, impactful journalism. The promise of a democratised media environment has, ironically, resulted in an echo chamber, where true innovation and investigative rigour are harder to come by than ever before.
The menacing concomitants of social media trigger vital questions; (a) how prejudicial are active, reactive messages and ideological discourses? (b) what are the implications for newsworthy content and reliable information? and (c) how can the transformative media ecology create epistemic environments to empower citizens to understand media content while struggling to meet their own routine challenges in the post-truth world of digitalisation. As we gaze ahead into the future, the news business is growing to be complex and precarious where the public sphere will end up being monopolised by digital giants like Google, Amazon, Facebook, Microsoft, WhatsApp and Apple will influence our life and decisions where elected governments will be powerless to control.
AI can enhance the writing process, but it will never replace the human elements that define journalism relationships, trust, and the pursuit of exclusive stories. The year 2024 has seen a decline in the use of news websites which is likely to continue and the rise of alternative media channels signal a shift in audience behaviour that publishers must adapt to.
Surprisingly along with the evolution and social penetration of digital trends chances are that the print media may find rebound as a niche of a luxury experience for those seeking respite from the digital deluge. In short, the news industry will continue to innovate, but its core mission—to inform and connect may remain unchanged. Jonathan Hunt, Vice President of Media at HubSpot and Head of The Hustle, warned: “websites aren’t where audiences or advertisers are increasingly investing their time or budgets.” [NEXT – Digital Paradoxes]