My final critique will be dedicated to the advantages and disadvantages NBC News being a national news agency.
While I often critique NBC News negatively, I have to admit that, like its competitors, NBC News does provide an diverse collection of news stories. NBC News must do this in order to please its national audience, and it is an advantage for the most part.
This is a disadvantage for NBC News, however, when in that attempt to please its diverse audience it juxtaposes unnecessary entertainment clips next to its news stories on its homepage. For example, a video about a photo of humpback whales do not need to be placed next to a video about protests regarding burning the Koran. In my opinion, this detracts from the NBC's coverage legitimacy.
Unlike NBC News, localized news agencies produce content with their audience in mind. In a way, it makes selection of news coverage much easier, as local news agencies have a tight focus. On slow news days, localized news agencies can place feature stories about their local news as the dominant story.
This is clear a disadvantage for NBC News. When there is no major national news story, NBC News struggles to find a story that works best for its audience. For example, NBC's homepage for today is plagued by competing dominance. The largest headline on the page has to do with the Boston bombing suspect, but the dominant image is for a story that has to do with the high cost of immigration.
NBC News does have one advantage as a national news agency that I particularly value, though. Because it is so large, it has the resources to generate great stories that are local-based but have national implications.
For example, NBC News posted a story on its business channel that dealt with the opportunities presented by vocational schools. While the video included information specific to Massachussetts, it also included information that related to the nation as a whole. NBC localized the story but gave its audience content that matters to them.
Overall, NBC News has its strengths and weaknesses. It has room to grow, but so do all other news agencies. I enjoyed critiquing the website during this semester; although, it probably won't become my major source of news.
While I often critique NBC News negatively, I have to admit that, like its competitors, NBC News does provide an diverse collection of news stories. NBC News must do this in order to please its national audience, and it is an advantage for the most part.
This is a disadvantage for NBC News, however, when in that attempt to please its diverse audience it juxtaposes unnecessary entertainment clips next to its news stories on its homepage. For example, a video about a photo of humpback whales do not need to be placed next to a video about protests regarding burning the Koran. In my opinion, this detracts from the NBC's coverage legitimacy.
Unlike NBC News, localized news agencies produce content with their audience in mind. In a way, it makes selection of news coverage much easier, as local news agencies have a tight focus. On slow news days, localized news agencies can place feature stories about their local news as the dominant story.
This is clear a disadvantage for NBC News. When there is no major national news story, NBC News struggles to find a story that works best for its audience. For example, NBC's homepage for today is plagued by competing dominance. The largest headline on the page has to do with the Boston bombing suspect, but the dominant image is for a story that has to do with the high cost of immigration.
NBC News does have one advantage as a national news agency that I particularly value, though. Because it is so large, it has the resources to generate great stories that are local-based but have national implications.
For example, NBC News posted a story on its business channel that dealt with the opportunities presented by vocational schools. While the video included information specific to Massachussetts, it also included information that related to the nation as a whole. NBC localized the story but gave its audience content that matters to them.
Overall, NBC News has its strengths and weaknesses. It has room to grow, but so do all other news agencies. I enjoyed critiquing the website during this semester; although, it probably won't become my major source of news.