(Photo courtesy of WNS)
By Caren Chelangat
New media has changed the face of journalism and the world at large. The internet has virtually revolutionized the process of news and information gathering dissemination. Conventional journalism which is the mainstream professional of journalism requires one form of training or the other .
The internet has removed the barriers of space and time on human interactions this makes information be obtained at relatively low cost yet the major challenge still remains to be of ethics, professionalism and training .
Rapid technological development in information technology has introduced new topics within the area of a copyright. A digital file that contains a copyright can easily be distributed worldwide as copies which reduces the copyright holder’s from royalties.
The energy growing digital world affects every aspects of our lives .A growing number digital communication platform such as social media , blogs and websites are quickly and easily accessible which makes us dependent on them in business, education, personal lives and other areas.
Local media now compete at global level and domestic consumers have access to international content and services Convergence is changing establishment investment patterns as well as competition in and the structure of media patterns edit distribution is no longer tied to one specific network , which increases the availability of these services and products.
Ugandan newspapers use social media in their daily work , through an analysis of three Ugandan newspapers, the article discusses how social media affect conventional sourcing practices, reportage and professional norms .This article is particularly interested in how Facebook and Twitter serve as alternative channels through which sources with less access of traditional means of communication get their message across to journalists. The findings are discussed in light of present development of social media legislation in Uganda. The discussion feel into a larger reflection of social media’s potential.