Interpretation of television journalists utilizing smartphone technology on reporting disaster

Abstract

Television journalists innovate by using smartphone technology in reporting on disasters. This study aims to reveal how the determination of technology in smartphones changes the reporting pattern of television journalists in disaster coverage. This research was conducted using a qualitative approach with the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method to explore personal experiences and individual personal perceptions. Data collection was carried out by interviewing, observing and documenting research subjects, namely 33 television journalists in West Java who are members of the Indonesian Television Journalists Association (IJTI), while the object in this study is the use of smartphone technology in disaster coverage. The results of the study found that television journalists realized that the speed of online media coverage made television journalists work harder. The function of smartphones with a number of applications can replace broadcasting tools used by television journalists more efficiently and effectively.