Product Description

SuperMedia is a lively, engaging, and refreshingly–opinionated text offering informed discussion on the importance and future of liberal journalism as a healthy part of a flourishing society.

• Examines the profound changes journalism is undergoing for social, economic and technological reasons
• Explores the potential for a entirely new type of journalism which these changes create, discussing the impact of social networking sites and blogs on traditional journalism, and making the case that journalism could be the catalyst for change needed to solve many of the world’s problems in a controversial manner
• Written by a first class broadcast journalist, it provides a practical roadmap for identifying the issues and solutions that will ensure an open and reliable news media for generations to come

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #177325 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-20
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 216 pages

Review
Beckett (London School of Economics) sees the growth of new media and technologies as an opportunity for, rather than a threat to, the traditional practices of journalism. However, he observes, those practices will need to change and adjust to take advantage of the opportunities offered by what he calls networking journalism. He believes that the many sources and voices competing, particularly on the Web, can and do produce better journalism in traditional media as well as on the Web––a contention he illustrates with case studies. Unfortunately, Beckett′s idealism does not address the major problem of false information that infects the public sphere: as the 2008 presidential election demonstrated, too many people repeated lies that they had "read somewhere." Truth seldom travels as quickly as lies. What remains in question is what would happen to thoughtful, investigative, long–piece journalism in Beckett′s scheme. The author provides brief bibliographies for each of the five chapters and helpful endnotes. Summing Up: Recommended. Professionals and general readers. –– P. E. Kane, emeritus, SUNY College at Brockport (Choice, February 2009)

"This is a strongly argued, well–sourced, knowledgeable piece of work, informed by Beckett′s time working on news and current affairs programmes at both the BBC and Channel 4 television. It is the most sustained and enthusiastic endorsement of citizen journalism I have read, displaying a faith in the power of journalism allied to that of an active citizenry." (Financial Times)

"Consider this a hearty recommendation ... British broadcast journalist Charlie Beckett stays on point in 170 pages of well–reasoned argument about exactly how journalism has already changed – and how today’s journalists and journalism educators need to understand that so they can go forward, and not sit inert as their world collapses on their heads ... It’s a positive book with clear, real–world examples from real journalism. It does not waste words and it doesn’t lose itself in philosophical boilerplate. I think all journalists and journalism educators should read this book." (Teaching Online Journalism (blog))

Richard Sambrook, BBC News
"This important book charts a course through journalism's current crises of Trust, Economics and Technology."

Adrian Monck, head of the Department of Journalism and Publishing, City University, London
"A serious but accessible introduction to the challenges facing contemporary journalism, intellectually and professionally... from an experienced and reflective practitioner."

Customer Reviews

Book Review
I am a student writing a dissertation about interactivity at the BBC. This is the only book that talks about interactivity in depth. It was such a great learning curve reading this book. Anyone who is aspiring to become a journalist should read this book. It is the future. If you want to understand it and become part of the digital revolution read it.

SuperMedia
If you're a working journalist, you need to read this book. It makes clear the powerful potential of the Internet for journalists. At every turn, every story meeting, every meeting with newsroom bosses and editors and definitely every journalism conference these days, new media is the "God Term." `It will revolutionize what we do,' rings the constant refrain. I get it, I get it... or so, I thought. (Sure, the Internet is useful for tracking down someone's bankruptcy records or finding out how much their house costs when you're under a tight deadline.) But what Charlie Beckett is proposing is so much more.
Super Media is a detailed plan for doing journalism better, doing it smarter, while, most importantly, gaining back the respect journalists have lost in recent years. Beckett made me - a proud "old media" practitioner - reevaluate a lot of my conventional wisdom. In clear and concise language, Becket outlines how journalists - and media organizations - can harness the Internet to make their work better and more meaningful.
He makes clear how journalists can engage audiences and readers craving serious journalism by adopting new technology and "new media" to re-connect with our audiences. He provides striking examples of how the public, when news breaks, for example, can build on the good work of journalists by providing eyewitness accounts, photos, videos, tips, etc. But it's much more than just getting so-called viewer content. It's about journalist becoming, what he calls, the "facilitator rather than the gatekeeper." Translation: it's time to break down the walls journalists have built up around ourselves to keep the people we're supposed to be serving at bay. Beckett's book is impressive. It challenges reporters and editors to save "journalism so it can save the world" by embracing "network journalism" to become "SuperMedia. Up, up and away, I say!