A look at why the radio journalism industry has experienced a slight deterioration in the past 30 years.
The following paper discusses why radio journalism has been adversely affected somewhat by the advent of new technology in the field of communication. The writer also comments on the changing definition of what radio journalism encompasses. This paper endeavors to explore what these factors and trends are that have led to the degeneration of radio journalism, as well as what the future of radio journalism might entail.
“Prior to conducting this undertaking, a brief timeline of events needs to be given in order to understand the degeneration of radio journalism through the gradual descent in popularity of its chief vehicle. In 1873, Maxwell publishes the theory of radio waves, which leads to the broadcast of voice and music in the U.S. in 1906. This development is capitalized on when DeForest starts broadcasting radio music on a regular basis in 1907. In 1909, the first broadcast talk was held and the topic was on women’s right to vote. In 1912, the U.S. government passes a law to regulate radio stations (http://www.ibiblio.org/jpurnalism/jhistory/, 7). In the 1920s, radio starts to compete with print media, such as newspapers and magazines (Emery, Emery & Roberts, 1996, 5). In the 1930s, the golden age of radio begins. However, by 1948, the general population start demanding television (http://www.ibiblio.org/jpurnalism/jhistory/, 8-10), and the golden age of radio ends as it starts to compete with television, and then later other technological inventions in communication and entertainment, for a share in the consumer market.”