How Virtual Reality is Changing Journalism

On August 18 from 7 to 8 pm, discover how augmented and virtual reality are changing the way information is shared and received by audiences across the globe. Hosted by the Somerset County Library. Webcast by Professor John Pavlik of Rutgers School of Communication and Information. For more information or to register: sclsnj.libnet.info/event/4370918.

Explore Transforming Journalism Through Virtually-Hosted Library Program Featuring Author and Professor John Pavlik

Rutgers Professor John Pavlik

The inception of new media forms, especially augmented and virtual reality, have evolved journalism. Discover how new technologies are changing the way information is shared and received by audiences across the globe.

Professor John Pavlik of Rutgers School of Communication and Information will delve into his latest book, “Journalism in the Age of Virtual Reality: How Experiential Media are Transforming News.” The book explores experiential media forms and their impact on journalism, media, and, ultimately, society. 

“Some news media have adapted or innovated and continued to create quality journalism,” said Pavlik. “In some cases, such as ‘The New York Times,’ audiences have increased significantly, digital subscriptions have surged, and revenues have grown. In these cases, quality reporting has been supplemented by the development of more immersive journalism, such as news content using augmented reality and virtual reality to engage audiences and to more effectively use digital, mobile, and wearable platforms.”

Augmented reality is a platform that allows the user to receive digital information in real-time onto real-world scenes as seen through the camera in a smartphone or head-worn device. Virtual reality systems replace the user’s direct experience with the real world through a computer-mediated environment including holographic and wearable displays.

“Journalism is at a crossroads,” said Pavlik. “Technological change, economic shifts, and cultural divisions have converged to disrupt the journalism industry. Public trust in news media has eroded, although research shows that the public appetite for news continues to be strong. As a result many news media have struggled to survive, seeing audiences decline and advertising revenues flow away to digital platforms.”