Chapter for: The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies, eds. Tim P. Vos and Folker Hanusch; associate editors: Dimitra Dimitrakopoulou, Margaretha Geertsema-Sligh and Annika Sehl. Published by John Wiley & Sons.
Abstract:
The expansion of digital and mobile media, with devices and connectivity becoming increasingly ubiquitous (in the Western world, at least), has led to increased opportunities for such media to be employed for journalistic purposes. These extend beyond the use of popular social media like Facebook and Twitter to provide updates and reports on news stories or commentary on events as they happen. Apps and platforms, originally intended for purposes that had no clear news or political connections, are adapted by news providers, journalists, and by users to engage with events, issues, and media. Visual forms and platforms are used to make journalistic coverage accessible, relevant, and enticing to the casual reader. However, visual social media also raise challenges and opportunities that have additional significance for journalism going forward.
Citation: Highfield, T. (2019). ‘Visual social media’. In Vos, T.P., & Hanusch, F. (eds)., The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies. John Wiley & Sons. doi: 10.1002/9781118841570.iejs0280