Media Use Diary

Media Use Diary

Over a period of 10 days, my media use was logged and the results will now be compared to those of the Journalism cohort.

Table 1. Media Use vs. Time (minutes)

Media Type	Day 1 16/3	Day 2 17/3	Day 3 18/3	Day 4 19/3	Day 5 20/3	Day 6 21/3	Day 7 22/3	Day 8 23/3	Day 9 24/3	Day 10 25/3	Total
Newspaper	-	30	20	-	-	20	-	-	15	20	105
Radio	10	-	30	-	40	-	20	-	-	45	145
7pm news	-	-	-	30	30	30	-	30	-	-	120
7.30 report	-	-	-	30	30	-	-	-	-	-	60
Book	30	-	45	20	-	-	-	-	-	-	95
Online News	-	-	-	30	-	10	20	30	-	10	100
Internet research	60	120	90	75	90	120	-	60	100	120	835
Facebook	30	30	100	120	30	120	10	20	-	45	505
Twitter	10	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	55

Personal Media Use

Old Media

My uses of old media are usually premeditated and timed, since television and newspaper are not as easily accessible as internet news and social networks and cannot be viewed ‘on-the-run’. Flicking through and skimming the newspaper if it is nearby, watching the 7pm ABC news (and, if time allows it, the 7.30 report) semi-regularly, and listening to the ABC radio if it is already on, usually constitutes my old media usage.

New Media

As shown in Figure 1, the majority of media usage is new media via the internet, constituting 74% as opposed to old media, using only 26% of the total time. I usually find online news unavoidable, especially if a headline catches my eye. Twitter (3%) and Online News (5%) constitute only a small proportion of overall usage, while Facebook and Internet research make up the majority.  Facebook is usually used via my phone throughout the day, and twitter is used to check public transport delays.

Figure 1.Figure 1.1                                                                                Figure 1.2

A Comparative View

Figures 2.1 and 2.2 illustrate the differences in online media usage between myself and the journalism cohort (though not using the same values). It is evident that my online news reading and twitter usage are lower than the majority of the cohort, while my online research is higher. My Facebook usage is second to that of my research, whereas Facebook is the most used online activity for the majority of the cohort. Thus, it is evident that new media plays a large role in the lives of journalism students, and most likely journalists today.

 Figure 2.1 (data taken from JOUR 2012 survey)       Figure 2.2

News From the Media

New media news sources are fast, easy and accessible while old media such as scheduled news requires you to turn on the television, or seek out a newspaper. Internet news is at our fingertips. Whether it is status updates, tweets, internet headlines or online articles, it can be accessed with the tap of a key.

My radio, newspaper and television usage are higher than online news and twitter (Figure 3.2), however, Facebook remains my key source of news. Interestingly, newspaper and television use is higher than Facebook in the overall cohort; television being the chief source followed by online news (Figure 3.1). Perhaps this indicates the remaining necessity of detailed news in addition to fast, brief updates online.

These results reveal that old forms of news are still vital in our lives today, yet their significance is slowly declining. New forms of news media; internet news and Facebook, are steadily growing in popularity and relevance in the 21^st century lifestyle.

Figure 3.1 (Data taken from JOUR 2012 survey)            Figure 3.2

Conclusion

The results from both the cohort’s and my own media news usage are indicative of the way current journalism is headed. Internet media is quickly becoming the most convenient and informative means of accessing regular (by the minute) and up to date news. While regular updates are not the most detailed, clearly TV and newspaper are still important. Yet, as media and technology becomes more advanced, old media will ultimately dwindle.