As technology evolves, so too does Journalism. With the Internet age and new devices that allow the public to share their stories, the question of who can be a journalist increasingly blurs. Google Glass and GoPro are both devices that impact storytelling and influence the field of journalism.
I think both devices can be used for professional and recreational use, but GoPro has the upper hand right now since Google Glass still has kinks and details that need to be worked out. In addition, GoPro knocks Glass out of the competition if only the cameras are compared.
However, Glass has advantages that can help journalists. For example, journalists in the field rely on research as well as finding quick opportunities for a story. Google Glass facilitates immediate, hands-free photo, audio, and video recording on the scene. Hands-free commands and immediate access are really valuable to journalists who may miss an important part of their story if they're trying to set up a camera or pull out their phone. Being the first to break news in journalism is also critical to the field, so having the ability to upload something right away through Glass would definitely help news outlets. Another thing Glass could offer to journalists is a profile of who they are interviewing and a list of notes for them to use since correctly spelling names and places is very important for credibility.
That being said, GoPro's advanced camera settings, durability to harsh conditions, and mount versatility really make the camera suitable for field journalists. GoPro can be mounted on the body (head, chest, wrist) as well as to many tripods and mounts. Glass only offers first-person perspective, but GoPro can take footage from multiple angles. Also, the tripod for Glass is the human body, which always moves, so video quality may not be as good as the GoPro that can take video and photos on a stable mount. Additionally, a microphone can be used with GoPro, which is always important for journalists needing high quality audio.
So, when I think more about who can be a journalist, I don't necessarily rule out the general public, but I see a true journalist as a credible professional that creates high quality material that's fact-checked and edited. Therefore, GoPro right now seems like a better choice for professional journalists who need to tell a credible story with solid video and audio quality. However, Glass has many great features that journalists can capitalize on, like the hands-free commands and ability to record and take photos on the spot. Perhaps journalists will use Glass and GoPro together as they work in the field. When it comes down to it, however, I have a feeling that many journalists still carry a #2 pencil and notepad wherever they go since technology may not always be reliable, especially covering a story in remote locations.
However, Glass has advantages that can help journalists. For example, journalists in the field rely on research as well as finding quick opportunities for a story. Google Glass facilitates immediate, hands-free photo, audio, and video recording on the scene. Hands-free commands and immediate access are really valuable to journalists who may miss an important part of their story if they're trying to set up a camera or pull out their phone. Being the first to break news in journalism is also critical to the field, so having the ability to upload something right away through Glass would definitely help news outlets. Another thing Glass could offer to journalists is a profile of who they are interviewing and a list of notes for them to use since correctly spelling names and places is very important for credibility.
That being said, GoPro's advanced camera settings, durability to harsh conditions, and mount versatility really make the camera suitable for field journalists. GoPro can be mounted on the body (head, chest, wrist) as well as to many tripods and mounts. Glass only offers first-person perspective, but GoPro can take footage from multiple angles. Also, the tripod for Glass is the human body, which always moves, so video quality may not be as good as the GoPro that can take video and photos on a stable mount. Additionally, a microphone can be used with GoPro, which is always important for journalists needing high quality audio.
So, when I think more about who can be a journalist, I don't necessarily rule out the general public, but I see a true journalist as a credible professional that creates high quality material that's fact-checked and edited. Therefore, GoPro right now seems like a better choice for professional journalists who need to tell a credible story with solid video and audio quality. However, Glass has many great features that journalists can capitalize on, like the hands-free commands and ability to record and take photos on the spot. Perhaps journalists will use Glass and GoPro together as they work in the field. When it comes down to it, however, I have a feeling that many journalists still carry a #2 pencil and notepad wherever they go since technology may not always be reliable, especially covering a story in remote locations.
Sources
American Journalism Review. (2013). "Google Glass for journalism with Robert Hernandez." YouTube.
Hill, Sarah. (2013). "How Google Glass will change the future of broadcast journalism." PBS.
NewsLab. (2011). "Working with a GoPro camera."
American Journalism Review. (2013). "Google Glass for journalism with Robert Hernandez." YouTube.
Hill, Sarah. (2013). "How Google Glass will change the future of broadcast journalism." PBS.
NewsLab. (2011). "Working with a GoPro camera."