Digital Media Concepts

Digital Journalism

The practice of gathering, creating, and distributing news and information using, including the internet, mobile devices, and social media platforms, and multimedia elements.

Multimedia

The integration of multiple forms of media, including text, images, audio, video, and animation, to communicate a message or content.

Online Journalism

Journalism that is specifically produced and distributed via the internet, including news websites, blogs, and social media.

Social Media Platforms

Online tools and websites (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) that allow users to create, share, and interact with content, and engage in social networking.

Digital Storytelling

The use of digital tools such as video, images, and text to create narrative forms of communication, often involving interactive or immersive experiences.

Content Management Systems (CMS)

Software applications that facilitate the creation, management, and distribution of digital content, typically used for websites or blogs.

User-Generated Content (UGC)

Content created by consumers or users of digital platforms, often shared on social media, forums, or websites, rather than produced by traditional media outlets.

New Media

Digital forms of communication, including the internet, social media, and mobile platforms, in contrast to traditional media like print and broadcast. This term is now somewhat outdated.

Citizen Journalism

News reporting and content creation by non-professional individuals, often using digital platforms to disseminate information, bypassing traditional media outlets.

Hypertext

A system of text linked by hyperlinks, allowing users to navigate between different pages or sections of content, fundamental to the structure of the internet.

Digital Convergence

The integration of multiple media forms (e.g., text, audio, video) and technologies (e.g., television, internet) into a unified digital format, transforming media consumption and production.

Web 2.0

A term used to describe the shift from static websites to more dynamic, interactive, and user-driven platforms, characterized by social media, blogging, and sharing technologies. This term is now somewhat outdated.

Algorithmic Journalism

The use of algorithms and automation in the production and distribution of news, including the use of artificial intelligence to write articles or select content. It's important to note the potential biases and ethical concerns associated with algorithmic curation.

Digital Ethics

The study of ethical issues related to the use of digital technologies in media production, distribution, and consumption, including privacy, misinformation, and copyright.

Cybermedia

The convergence of communication, information, and entertainment technologies in the digital realm, representing the broader field of online media. This term is less commonly used than some other terms.

Media Convergence

The process by which distinct forms of media (e.g., television, radio, print) merge and interact in the digital environment, leading to new ways of consuming and producing media.

Digital Audience Engagement

The interaction and involvement of digital audiences with content, which includes likes, shares, comments, and other forms of participation on social media and other platforms.

Digital Broadcasting

The transmission of television and radio content through digital signals, as opposed to traditional analog broadcasting.

E-Publishing

The distribution of books, magazines, and other printed materials in digital format, allowing for online access and purchase.

Online Advertising

Advertising strategies deployed on the internet, including banner ads, social media ads, search engine ads, and video ads, to target digital consumers.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

The process of optimizing web content to improve its ranking in search engine results, thereby increasing visibility and traffic.

Mobile Media

Media content that is specifically created or adapted for consumption on mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets, including apps, social media, and mobile websites.

Digital Archives

The storage, organization, and preservation of digital content, ensuring that it can be accessed and retrieved for future use.

Interactive Media

Forms of media that allow the user to actively engage with the content, such as video games, websites with clickable elements, or interactive videos.

Virtual Reality (VR) Media

Media experiences that simulate real or imagined environments, allowing users to interact within a virtual world through immersive technology like VR headsets.

Augmented Reality (AR) in Journalism

The use of AR technology in journalism to overlay digital information onto the physical world, creating interactive storytelling experiences.

Data Journalism

A form of journalism that uses data analysis and visualization to create compelling stories and inform audiences, often involving large datasets and interactive graphics.

Digital Democracy

The use of digital platforms to facilitate greater public participation in democratic processes, including voting, activism, and public discourse. It's important to acknowledge the potential for digital divides and the need for equitable access to technology.

Social Media Analytics

The process of analyzing data from social media platforms to gain insights into audience behavior, preferences, and trends.

Information Overload

The state of having too much information available, often on digital platforms, which can overwhelm individuals and hinder decision-making.

Cloud Computing in Media

The use of cloud-based services to store, manage, and distribute digital media content, providing scalable and remote access to resources.

Streaming Media

The delivery of multimedia content (e.g., video, audio) over the internet in real time, without requiring the user to download the content first (e.g., Netflix, Spotify).

Digital Subscription Models

Business models that offer content or services in exchange for a subscription fee, such as paywalls for online news or premium video streaming services.

Online News Consumption

The process by which individuals access and engage with news content via digital platforms, such as websites, apps, and social media.

Multichannel Networks (MCNs)

Organizations that work with digital content creators (particularly on platforms like YouTube) to manage their content, distribution, and monetization.

Media Literacy in the Digital Age

The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media content in the digital environment, including understanding the implications of digital technologies on communication.

Viral Content

Media content that spreads rapidly across the internet, typically via social media platforms, due to its popularity, emotional appeal, or entertainment value.

Digital Privacy and Security

The protection of personal data and privacy on digital platforms, addressing issues like encryption, data breaches, and online tracking.

Content Curation

The process of gathering, organizing, and sharing digital content from various sources, often in a way that adds value or context for an audience.

Digital Footprint

The trail of data and information that individuals leave behind while interacting with digital platforms, including social media activity, online purchases, and browsing history.

Media Fragmentation

The division of media audiences into smaller, more specialized groups, facilitated by the rise of digital platforms that cater to niche interests.

Digital Marketing

Marketing strategies that utilize digital platforms, including social media, email, search engines, and websites, to promote products and services.

Blockchain in Journalism

The application of blockchain technology in journalism to verify the authenticity of digital content and transactions, potentially reducing issues like fake news. The practical applications of blockchain in mainstream journalism are still evolving.

Crowdsourcing in Media

The practice of obtaining information, content, or services by soliciting input from a large group of people, often through online platforms.

Podcasting

The creation and distribution of audio or video content in episodic form, typically made available for download or streaming via the internet.

Internet of Things (IoT) in Media

The integration of internet-connected devices into media production and consumption, enabling new forms of content delivery and audience engagement. This is a rapidly evolving area with significant potential.

Fake News and Information Disorders

False or misleading information spread via digital platforms, often with the intent to deceive or manipulate public opinion. Information disorders may be: Disinformation, Misinformation or Malinformation.

Digital Surveillance

The monitoring and collection of digital activity, often by governments, corporations, or other organizations, for security, marketing, or other purposes, with ethical and legal considerations.

Social Media Algorithms

The mathematical formulas used by social media platforms to determine the visibility of content in users' feeds, based on engagement, relevance, and other factors.

Digital Branding

The process of creating and promoting a brand identity through digital platforms, including social media, websites, and online advertisements.