Recently, media outlets have embraced technology to acquire and disseminate information to their target audience and the public. Digital journalism allows journalists to analyze data and use visual aids such as images, videos, and audio to help their target audience conceptualize and understand the news and facts.
With technological advancements, digital journalism has made popular culture – also known as pop culture – accessible to everyone. Pop culture refers to racial, societal, modern, and traditional artifacts and elements such as fashion, literature, music, film, art, sports, dance, cultural products, and other forms of social media entertainment that influence our perceptions, behavior and values. Pop culture has a significant mass appeal and is accessible to the general population.
This article will examine how digital journalism has democratized access to pop culture news and reporting. Furthermore, we will critically evaluate the positive impact that the voices in the pop industry have on society and their selling power.
What is digital journalism?
In the era of technological advancement, it is quick and easy for people to access, consume and share news. Digital journalism uses digital platforms such as social media, applications, and websites to deliver news and information to a target audience. The introduction of the internet and smart devices such as smartphones and computers has revolutionized the field of journalism.
Furthermore, digital journalism, or online journalism, uses the internet and digital tools and platforms such as podcasts, live video streams, and social media to engage and share interactive content and news reports with the target audience. Moreover, digital formatting allows audiences to receive news in real-time.
Notably, digital journalism is dynamic enough to allow journalists to customize and personalize news articles and content depending on the needs of their target audience. With digital journalism, journalists are encouraged to incorporate creativity and innovation to craft compelling news reports and reach a wider audience. According to a report conducted in 2022, a third of the US population admitted to receiving news from social media platforms. The study also showed that 22% of American adults visited online platforms to get news at least once a week.
Online journalism is fundamental as it allows individuals to access, consume and share information and news regardless of location. Therefore, journalists play a significant role in promoting and enhancing the influence of the pop industry in our societies. Digital journalists are among the most sought-after professionals in the field of journalism.
Suppose you want to enhance your skills and knowledge as a digital journalist. In that case, you should consider enrolling in a Digital Journalism master’s degree program at a university such as St. Bonaventure University. At St. Bonaventure, you will receive 100% online coursework, allowing you to complete it at your convenience. This comprehensive program will give you valuable insights into the pop industry, including music, TV shows, radio, entertainment events and more. Furthermore, you can enroll in the program while working.
Is pop culture relevant to today’s society?
The power, impact and influence of the pop industry in today’s society is undeniable. Pop culture reflects the people’s beliefs, approaches, morals, and ideas. Notably, pop culture has significantly influenced how society operates daily, including the way that we communicate, think, act, interact with each other, and perceive information.
Pop culture reflects how society lives at a particular time. The pop industry is responsible for releasing new ideas and ways of living. Given that the industry has a wide range of platforms, it is easy to persuade people and change their way of life by introducing new and better ways of living. Digital journalism has revolutionized and democratized the pop industry, making it accessible to everyone globally. This has significantly improved the power and the influence of the pop industry in society.
How digital journalism has enabled pop culture to positively impact society
In the realm of technological advancement, digital journalism has played a significant role in enabling pop culture to flourish in our society. Furthermore, digital journalism shapes how individuals’ access, receive and interpret current entertainment trends, sports news, TV shows, radio, political affairs and other news, such as celebrity gossip. Evidently, pop culture has a significant influence on people’s values, beliefs, culture, preferences and understanding.
The impact of pop culture is undeniable within society. This is evident as it has significantly influenced different aspects of our daily lives, such as fashion, music, sports, social media and so much more. However, pop culture has a positive impact on society. For instance, pop culture has promoted creativity and innovation, strengthened societal bonds, encouraged self-love and expression, fostered inclusivity and so much more.
Promotes imagination, creativity and innovation
The pop industry is diverse and offers numerous opportunities for individuals with different talents to flourish. Within the pop industry, individuals can fulfill their dreams of becoming the best versions of themselves. For example, digital journalism often showcases fashion events and reports all kinds of celebrity gossip from the pop industry. As a result, individuals within the fashion industry can copy a fashion trend. Alternatively, individuals can design new and trendy fashion styles that celebrities can showcase. This has advanced society by pushing the limits of innovation. It is a level of creativity that applies to several industries, such as music, art, videography and photography.
Strengthening societal connections
Millions of people enjoy the experiences brought about by the pop industry. Therefore, pop culture enthusiasts find it easy to bond and create a connection over the experiences gained from the different elements of pop culture. The pop industry has created a sense of belonging to its followers. Given the diversity of pop culture, individuals can share and enjoy different experiences such as music, sports, fashion, comic books, novels and movies.
Encouraging self-love and expression
The pop industry has created a platform where individuals can learn about themselves and discover their talents and interests. Participating in a journey of self-discovery has allowed individuals to love and appreciate themselves. Furthermore, the pop industry has availed different elements that people can use to express their unfiltered thoughts and share their experiences on diverse matters. There are many programs, shows, public figures and celebrities that lots of people idolize and imitate. They play a critical role in shaping how we deal with and express our emotions. In most cases, pop culture is preaching the importance of self-care.
Promoting mental health
Millions of people are dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. However, digital journalism has given the pop industry a platform to create mental health awareness. Given that the pop industry has a significant appeal to society, it has been easy for celebrities and other public figures to encourage individuals to look after their mental wellbeing. Furthermore, digital marketing has provided different platforms where pop industry executives can educate the public on the importance of mental health by putting together mental health workshops and seminars.
A mentally stable and energized community is strong, with the drive to work together and secure a future for the next generation. Furthermore, mental health is integral to how individuals form relationships, interact with each other and make decisions. Hence, pop culture is dedicated to creating mental health awareness as a way of looking after its followers.
Creates employment opportunities
The pop industry can create employment and positively impact the economy through its many franchises. For instance, individuals can turn their interests and talents into profitable businesses such as filmmaking, photography, dancing, acting, music and sports. Alternatively, individuals can engage in revenue-generating activities such as event organizing, merchandising, ticket sales, news reporting and advertising.
Creates learning and educational opportunities
The profound influence of the pop industry on society is irrefutable. The industry has been at the forefront of educating and enlightening individuals within society. Pop culture has significantly shaped society’s beliefs, values and attitudes. In most cases, it uses music, movies, TV and radio shows, entertainment and sporting events, and novels to promote learning and facilitate education.
Through pop culture, individuals have learned new languages, improved their analytical and creative thinking, discovered the ability to solve societal problems, and gained lifetime experiences. With digital journalism, it is relatively easy for individuals to access all forms of pop culture information.
Fostering diversity and inclusivity
Pop culture uses different media platforms and the internet to celebrate and promote inclusivity. Society consists of individuals with different religious backgrounds, ethnicities and races. However, pop culture celebrates diversity by encouraging open-mindedness, tolerance and understanding between individuals of different backgrounds. With the aid of digital journalism, pop culture unites people regardless of their color, religion and ethnic background. It has also prompted intergenerational understanding, and improved interaction and connection between individuals who share common interests.
Shaping societal beliefs, perceptions and attitudes
The pop industry can shape and influence different societal attitudes and beliefs. In the pop industry, there are TV shows that portray a glamorous lifestyle and create an ideology of what a prosperous lifestyle looks like. As a result, many people will work hard to attain the level of success portrayed in these TV shows and movies. Pop culture has a way of normalizing and making certain beliefs and attitudes acceptable and pleasant within society.
Improving communication and human connection
Pop culture plays a vital role in improving communication and human connection. It offers people who would otherwise experience difficulties communicating due to differences in culture and geographical limitations a way of communicating with one another. Through a shared language and common references, such as popular TV shows, people come together to interact. These can even generate deeper conversations about their views on matters that affect them.
The pop industry also allows individuals to express themselves effectively. The use of memes and slang is a perfect example of how this can be achieved. Finally, it offers a platform for marginalized groups to express their issues and be heard. This helps to deal with stereotypes and misinformation about these groups.
Intergenerational understanding
Pop culture aids in bridging the gap between generations by helping the young and the old to communicate and understand each other better. It serves as a common ground that accommodates different opinions on matters while promoting conversations between generations. With this in place, there is room for respect and empathy as individuals from different generations come together to share their perspectives on diverse issues. For instance, art, music and food can be used to effectively bridge generational gaps and foster understanding, tolerance and thoughtfulness.
Fosters globalization and cultural exchange
The pop industry provides a platform for people to share their cultural diversity, which promotes cultural integration. With such integration, people can adopt different aspects of other cultures without losing their own culture. This way, they learn to appreciate that society encompasses people who are different from them.
Such intensive cultural exchange happens effectively due to globalization. Cultural globalization allows you to cross geographical borders while in the comfort of your home. This fosters the transmission of values, opinions and ideas across the globe while building social relations. Moreover, people can easily interact with different content and therefore consume different cultures. Apart from just learning about these new cultures, individuals can also create something from the diversity being offered in the pop industry.
Reflects on crucial societal issues
Pop culture has also become a way for people to discuss and reflect on various societal issues. It has been used to create social change and spread awareness regarding important matters affecting society. In addition to setting popular trends, this platform offers a sense of belonging, promotes unity among different groups, shapes the belief systems of the public, influences political decisions, and reflects on the need for change on different social issues. Some of the social issues include representation of marginalized groups, mental health awareness, environmental activism, women’s empowerment and feminism. Matters that would otherwise be ignored or considered taboo are now being discussed due to the pop industry. For instance, the #MeToo movement allows individuals to learn about and discuss gender equality and women’s inclusion.
A platform for marketing
The pop industry can appeal to a massive crowd with ease. Therefore, marketing is among its strongest suits. Given its ability to attract attention from different individuals regardless of their age and ethnic group, it is easy for companies and businesses to advertise and market their products and services on different platforms owned by the pop industry. Therefore, the pop industry has played a crucial role in encouraging business growth and development. Digital journalism has provided various marketing channels that individuals can use to attract new clients and create a solid customer base.
Conclusion
The pop industry plays a fundamental role in shaping our societal and personal identities. It directly and indirectly influences and affects our beliefs, attitudes and values. Pop culture influences our day-to-day activities, such as how we communicate, our choice of music, our social perceptions and perspectives, our attitudes and beliefs, and our social and political views.
Digital journalism has played a fundamental role in ensuring that pop culture flourishes and adds value to society. With digital formatting, the pop industry has reached, interacted with, and transformed millions of lives. The pop industry has done more good than harm in our society. With technological evolution, pop culture will continue transforming lives and shaping our societal beliefs and values for the better.
With all this in mind, it is essential to approach and use the information gained from pop culture with care, thoughtfully, and critically. The pop industry can be constructive and destructive simultaneously, depending on the information you consume.
Amanda Lancaster is a PR manager who works with 1resumewritingservice. She is also known as a content creator. Amanda has been providing resume writing services since 2014.