Google is an Internet search engine that includes web-based email, online mapping, social networking and video sharing; it is presently the leading search engine in the world, beating other mega-search engines such Yahoo! and Msn.com
Serving millions around the world since 1998, Google has reached into the services of stock quotes, maps, news headlines, images and more than 1 billion posts dating back to 1981. So, it is no surprise why countless Internet users remain loyal to Google. This holds especially true for us journalists.
Since Google extends to almost 600 countries - ranging from Google.ca for Google in Canada to Google.dj for Google in Djibouti- journalists could easily find information on issues, images, people, organizations, government agencies, and related past events worldwide. This allows us to see all the perspectives and interpretations of the story, which is especially useful if the event occurred in a country where freedom of speech does not exist. Through these pieces of information, we can then search for contacts and sources to further enrich our stories.
Research, however, does not stop at merely attaining background information for our stories; it also extends to help build out rapport with our interviewees – allowing a smoother and more informative interview.
In the process of background researching – interviewing – follow-up researching – more interviewing, Google is with us all the way.
The biggest con of Google, however, is the unreliability of the links it provides. Since its spider searches for related text and headings that the user types in, it does not filter these websites for legitimacy. Thus, as a journalist, we must carefully assess these sources before using them in our pieces.
With all its advantages and disadvantages in mind, Google will be useful for my next feature. I plan to use Google for looking up news archives related to garbage treatment, background research on the history of the issue in both Canada and around the world, and finding sources and contacts from advocate groups and government agencies.
If knowledge represents power, Google is the portal that allows us to travel through location and time.
2 comments:
I think what you said about being able to see all sides of the story is really valuable.
I completely agree with what you said about being able to build a rapport with interviewees. Doing a background check on them definitely helps.
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