DIGITALIZATION AS A FACTOR IN THE EMERGENCE OF NEW DICHOTOMIES OF THE OBSERVATION METHOD IN JOURNALISM

Abstract

In this article the researchers discuss the use of the empirical method of the observation in gathering information by people working as journalists, in particular, military correspondents. To continue the types of the observation from the point of view of various researchers, for example, L.G. Svitich and M.N. Kim, the paper offers two new dichotomies of this concept: real and remote; conscious and unconscious observation. There are some advantages and disadvantages of both real and remote empirical observation methods as a base of collecting information for journalistic activities including concepts such as reliability, efficiency, time saving and others. Reasons for this separation are also indicated. They are based on digitalization of modern society: the active use of modern technology and the convergence of journalism in general. Analyzing the results of the survey of journalism students at one of Moscow institutes show the necessity of studying the observation method. Moreover, its popularity is proved with the help of analyzing articles in the weekly newspaper “The Star.” There is also a table of all studied dichotomies with the addition of a new division. Based on the proposed dichotomies, the work of military correspondents is examined in terms of planning the observation and direct presence in a combat zone. In this sector of the media sphere digitalization is noted to have a great importance and provide military correspondents the additional evidence base for their work, without which one cannot talk about objectivity. The work shows that the method of observation is one of the most important methods of gathering the information in all kinds of journalistic and also for military correspondents.