The Oriella PR Network, an alliance of communications agencies in 20 countries around the world formed by Brands2Life and Horn Group, today launches The European Digital Journalism Study "“ a pan–European insight into how the "˜Digital Age´ has changed the working practices of the journalist. A total of 347 journalists were polled from broadcast, national, regional and trade media across Benelux, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
The research highlights how the advent of blogging, podcasts and video content has transformed the way journalists across Europe now work, with half (46%) revealing they are expected to produce more content for their respective publications. Video is having a growing impact on journalism with over 40% confirming they are now responsible for producing online television or video clips, despite only 3% of respondents being employed by traditional broadcasters. European journalists are increasingly required to deliver their content in differing formats "“ 44% of outlets offer journalist authored blogs; almost a fifth (18%) are now producing audio podcasts; and almost one in four (24%) offer video podcasts.
The European Digital Journalism Study revealed that it is not just the journalist who is expected to produce content. Today, User Generated Content (UGC) plays a central role in European journalism with 62% welcoming it as part of their story package. Over 70% of publications encourage comments on stories online and almost 30% accept and publish reader pictures. The influence of the blogosphere continues to grow, with almost a quarter of journalists regularly quoting bloggers in their articles.
Even though European publications are increasingly offering content in new formats, the results highlight that it has been the sole responsibility of the journalist to be "inherently digital". Almost two–thirds (65%) confirmed they had received no training to help them create new forms of digital content with only one in ten receiving any kind of video training.
Despite this expectation to produce more and the lack of training, the "Digital Age" has been welcomed by the journalistic community. When asked how these changes had impacted job satisfaction, 88% confirmed they were just as happy or happier in their current roles. Additionally, even though the quantity of output has increased significantly, so has the quality. Only 16% of those polled, felt the quality of their work has become worse, or much worse, as a result of the various changes to their job.
Download the report at www.europeandigitaljournalism.com.
About the Oriella PR Network
Brands2Life co–owns the Oriella PR Network with the Horn Group, an alliance of 15 communications agencies in 20 countries around the world.