We live in an age where news consumption transforms into a digitised experience. Traditional news consumption methods are shifting to new digital technologies like augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), which give the audience immersive experiences. Today, the audience is no longer a passive receiver of information; they are active participants in the delivery and consumption of news, creating a whole new journalistic experience. With the revolution of immersive technologies, the transition from passive to active users promises a dynamic and impactful news experience.
The Technology Behind the Change
For decades, newspapers, television, and websites were the primary platforms for news consumption even after the growth of digital mediums, news delivery and consumption patterns were quite similar before the arrival of AR and VR.
After integrating augmented and virtual reality in journalism, consumption transformed into a personalised, immediate, and engaging experience. 360-degree videos help users place themselves in the story. During the 2018 Kerala floods, viewers were introduced to virtual reality videos that brought the disaster to life and helped them understand the reality that people experienced.
Imagine yourself in a war zone, experiencing the aftermath of a natural disaster, or witnessing a political conflict within a rally. Immersive technologies like AR and VR will make all these events a lively experience by breaking the traditional formats of news consumption. The audience will get more connected with the story and create a connection with the event, just more than information. Malayalam news channel Reporter TV used augmented reality technology to showcase the aftermath of the Wayanad landslide in July 2024, offering viewers an innovative way to understand the incident.
Today, national and international news outlets and digital platforms are using these technologies to improve their coverage of weather forecasts, political stories, sports, etc.
Expert Opinion: The Impact on Journalism
Vishnu Radhan, an experienced broadcast journalist currently working with Asianet News TV, believes that AR and VR technologies are changing the landscape of journalism. “News is brought to life by these technologies, which helps the audience interact with the story, which is impossible with traditional mediums”. “Now they are experiencing, not just viewing the story,” he explains.
Former TV journalist Densil Antony, currently the Chairman & CEO of XR Horizon Private Limited, thinks that AR and VR technologies open new ways of storytelling. “Our news consumption pattern is now changing and developing with technologies. Now, it is an AR/VR trend, and in the future, it will advance to new technology. Whatever changes happen, the main aim is to make storytelling more interesting and engaging. Now it is happening with immersive technologies,” he says.
The Role of Immersive Journalism in Society
Immersive journalism offers advantages such as audience engagement, immersive storytelling, empowering marginalised voices, and reporting complex events. It can change the viewer’s perspective and promote empathy toward the story.
Digital media expert Varsha Purushothaman of Network18 shares her thoughts on how AR and VR can be used to build emotional connections with audiences. She says, “Audiences will get a chance to interact with the story through immersive technologies; this will help to create a deeper level of understanding and emotional bond among the viewers.”
The future of immersive journalism
Digital technologies are evolving daily, and immersive journalism will have more possibilities in the future. Even regional newsrooms are beginning to adopt AR and VR technologies in their storytelling methods. Personalisation, real-time interactive storytelling, and incorporating artificial intelligence, among other things, will improve the immersive experience.
Change is inevitable, and immersive technologies will continue to shape the media landscape and audience consumption patterns. The audience accepts storytelling methods that are both user-friendly and engaging. As Karthika K, a 22-year-old postgraduate student,t shares, “I can easily connect to the story and people with immersive technologies than any other traditional mediums.”
Copy editor: Aakriti Dubey