Influence of New Media on Gate-keeping in Television News Presentation: An Appraisal of the New Media Theory

Abstract

The new media theory was appraised with regard to influence of new
media on gate-keeping in television news presentation. The qualitative
method was used to gather and analyse information from primary and
secondary sources, hinged on technological determinism theory and
mediamorphosis, it was observed that new media have influence on gatekeeping in television news presentation, the key areas affected are access,
interactivity, freedom from geographical restriction factors in gatekeeping in television news presentation and in media generally. Based
on the discussion, it is concluded that the use of new media in television
news presentation as used in live streaming, live interactions in interviews,
and live presentation of events from any part of the world has set aside
the traditional gate-keeping inherent in analogue broadcast which
makes use of pre recorded items mainly. This confirms the postulations of
new media theories of technological determinism and mediamorphosis.
The study recommends the expediting of action by Nigeria and other
developing countries toward digitization of broadcasting, training and
preparation of television news presenters for news presentation in the
digital era, review of gate-keeping concept and theory to accommodate
new realities of new media, as well as more researches to develop more
theories of the new media.