BSJ Digital Media and Online Journalism 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'live blogging' in online journalism?
- Publishing a recorded video of a news briefing
- Updating a single web post in real time as a news event unfolds (Correct answer)
- Scheduling multiple articles to publish throughout the day
- Using AI to auto-generate breaking news summaries
Correct answer: Updating a single web post in real time as a news event unfolds
Live blogging involves continuously updating a single web page with new information, quotes, and updates as a news event happens in real time.
Question 2: What is a 'paywall' in the context of digital news publishing?
- A firewall protecting newsroom computer systems
- A system that restricts access to content unless the reader pays or subscribes (Correct answer)
- A legal barrier preventing publication of certain stories
- A tool for blocking web scrapers from copying articles
Correct answer: A system that restricts access to content unless the reader pays or subscribes
A paywall limits free access to digital content, requiring readers to pay a subscription or per-article fee to read full stories.
Question 3: What is 'data journalism'?
- Journalism that reports exclusively on technology companies
- Using data analysis and visualization to uncover and tell news stories (Correct answer)
- Storing digital articles in a newsroom database
- Using AI tools to fact-check stories
Correct answer: Using data analysis and visualization to uncover and tell news stories
Data journalism involves gathering, analyzing, and visualizing large data sets to find and illustrate news stories in compelling ways.
Question 4: What does 'responsive design' mean for a news website?
- A site that automatically publishes breaking news alerts
- A web layout that adapts to display correctly on any device screen size (Correct answer)
- A design that changes based on reader feedback
- A CMS that alerts editors when corrections are needed
Correct answer: A web layout that adapts to display correctly on any device screen size
Responsive design ensures a news website displays and functions properly across desktops, tablets, and smartphones by adapting its layout to screen size.
Question 5: What is 'social listening' as practiced in digital journalism?
- Monitoring audio streams on social media platforms
- Tracking social media conversations to identify trending stories and sources (Correct answer)
- Using social platforms to broadcast live news segments
- Analyzing audience demographics for ad targeting
Correct answer: Tracking social media conversations to identify trending stories and sources
Social listening involves monitoring social media platforms to spot emerging stories, identify potential sources, and gauge public reaction to news events.
Question 6: What is the primary concern with using anonymous social media accounts as sources in online journalism?
- They are difficult to embed in articles
- Their identity and credibility cannot be independently verified (Correct answer)
- They violate platform terms of service
- They require special software to access
Correct answer: Their identity and credibility cannot be independently verified
Anonymous accounts cannot be verified, making it impossible to confirm the source's identity, expertise, or potential conflicts of interest.
BSJ Digital Media and Online Journalism 2
What is 'live blogging' in online journalism?