For a journalist, one of the most daunting tasks is bringing the audience closer to reality, and virtual reality is offering precisely the same. With VR, the journalism industry can better connect with the audience regarding serious events such as earthquakes, natural disasters, and terrorist activities. For a plethora of customers, journalism is synonymous with storytelling and stories are a foundation cornerstone of our rich heritage. With the increasing evolution of storytelling, journalism is becoming the greatest shield as its protecting the people from harm. From unmasking frauds to debunking corruption scandals – all of us owe gratitude towards the journalism sector. However, publishing houses are taking journalism to the next level by integrating VR in it.
Here are a few ways VR is bringing a paradigm shift in traditional journalism.
Virtual reality: Expanding the story telling toolkit
Playing with words and portraying the news in a way it impacts maximum masses is a prime task of a journalist. Today, publishing houses are leaving no stone unturned to capture the attention of the audience and coming out with innovative methods of delivering the news. In 2016, The New York Times with the help of virtual reality presented the world with a 360o degree video of then-nominee Donald Trump to captivate the hype going around his rallies. The world watched the rallies with bated breath even though they were not physically present. The technology is expanding the story living toolkit of the journalists and is becoming an authentic way to spellbind viewers.
Virtual reality Builds empathy and understanding
Empathy and understanding are two sides of the same coin in journalism and storytelling. Every story that a journalist run should inspire an action whether it’s donating money, or sign a petition to curb the wrong-doing. Recently, a company built a 3D video of a person in solitary confinement cell narrating his torturous experience in the cell. The viewers could see the condition of the confined man on their VR headset. The plight of the confined man forced every single viewer to sign a petition to stop the inhumane solitary confinement practice. Had the company used pen and paper to describe the plight of the man, the results would have been different. The immersive experience with VR forces the viewers to take action on every story.
VR Makes Content more interesting
The greatest writing makes you feel like you are there, seeing, hearing, witnessing and caring, crying and doing everything the story requires. This happens for a simple reason – you’re immersed in the story. But, how many such stories can you plausibly write daily? Experiencing a piece of virtual reality in the journalism requires the journalist to place the viewer over their eyes and listen to their story via headphones. The technology is making content exciting and immersing the customers in the story.
The future of media now lies on the shoulder of virtual reality journalism. The journalism sector is leaving no stone unturned to plunge the audience into the midst of stories.
