Investigative Videos and New Journalism

Investigative Videos and New Journalism

James O' Keefe is not alone in the rise of amateur videographers and investigative documentarians in new journalism, although his name remains at the top of the list in terms of public resonance. Armed with the platform of Breitbart Media, his ACORN investigative videos sparked greater media interest in his investigative snafu involving a Louisiana senator's office phones.

On the heels of the new journalism movement, Jason Mattera stalks the hallways of Capitol Hill in search of senators and congressman with a record of political mistakes. His in-your-face confrontations are a web video sensation; as are countless Youtube hits for videos exposing political misspeak, angry politicians, and constituents "one-upping" their ruffled representatives.

Internet video sites have not only magnified amateur journalism, but also made it harder for politically-damaging videos to disappear from public access. Multiple copies uploaded to the web make erasing an unflattering SNL skit (or a pro-communist political statement) virtually impossible for even Washington's most powerful figures.

Impact on Mainstream Journalists

What mainstream media sources initially perceived as a passing trend is now a threat to ratings and public recognition. At times, the public seems to identify network journalists and cable news networks as political enablers for the Washington elite. At the same time, the rising Tea Party movement seems eager to embrace new media sources like Breitbart Media's "Big Government" and "Big Journalism".

The decline in readership for journalism staples like The New York Times and The Boston Globe is also a sign of the times. While revenue and subscription numbers fall for the most-recognized names in newsprint, media sources like "The Drudge Report" continue to draw a healthy readership.

Will this rise in competition compel mainstream journalism to change its ways? The change seems unlikely, given the industry's stubborn resistance to changing technology and shifting audience demands. If the social trend in the nation remains consistent, than "new journalism" may soon become the mainstream media by default.



Resources:
Davis, Richard. Typing Politics: The Role of Blogs in American Politics. Amazon Kindle Edition, 2009.