Journalism is not dead; it is evolving on a digital platform.

In the age of the digital revolution, traditional journalism has declined, as evidenced by the closure of numerous print newspapers, especially in the West.

In his article "The Changing Face of Indonesian Media" in a recent issue of Jakarta Global, media consultant Edward Parker offered a more insightful analysis of both the challenges and opportunities for the media in the digital age.

The author observes that it has become almost cliché in recent years to lament the decline of traditional journalism, with many print newspapers being shut down with descriptions of its ominous effects.

Illustrative image. (Source: oevblog.de)

The common refrain is that this signals the end of special news reports, insightful articles, and quality investigative journalism, ushering in a new era of faster news dissemination but lower-quality content.

An evolution is underway; journalism is not dead but is being reborn on different platforms and media in the new world of digital, social, and interactive media. What is happening is the democratization of the media.

The end of an era in which power and influence were concentrated in the hands of a few prominent publications, journalists, and commentators—those who held a monopoly on "news" and the interpretation of events.

This marks the end of a world of limited voices, few opposing viewpoints, and a restricted space, leading to a world of diverse perspectives. This is true everywhere, but to a greater extent in Indonesia.

Today, Indonesia enjoys press freedom with hundreds of different media outlets at both local and national levels.

The digital world has democratized the media environment, reducing the influence of media outlets controlled by powerful administrators who decide not only what you read but also what you think through the analysis of events. Good or bad information is easily and instantly accessible, regardless of geographical distance or background.

The internet is rapidly expanding in Indonesia, and the widespread use of smartphones allows users to bypass more expensive wired computer connections. From rural villages to city centers, people's access to information is becoming increasingly democratized. Lazy journalism certainly has no future.

Traditional advertising is gradually becoming obsolete, leading to the inevitable collapse of many print newspapers, but advertising hasn't disappeared; it has shifted to new media. If what you write and the products you offer have value in any form, people will be interested and click on the link, spend a lot of time exploring the website, and create opportunities for media monetization.

A new media trend is that successful media products are focusing on more in-depth content. Previously, large media companies tried to appeal to all audiences by covering all topics to attract as many customers as possible.

This is changing, in part, because trying to provide everything at the same time while also striving to do everything better than others is very difficult. The rise of digital media gives readers more choices.

Media outlets that continue to thrive in the digital world have truly grown, focusing their resources on a core area. They work hard to serve their audience, much like businesses focus on marketing their products. Media companies today are forced to think more deeply about how to convey complex information, stories, and data compellingly to their readers.

The author concludes that while everything is changing, the constant remains. The decline of journalism and the media landscape today is creating more opportunities than ever before for professional journalists.

Readers are demanding higher-quality analysis, moving away from outdated motifs that are delivered in a dull and dry manner. They are seeking information and entertainment through fresh stories.

This is why we shouldn't lament the demise of traditional journalism, but rather embrace this new world with all the opportunities it presents.

According to Vietnamplus