The mobile revolution in modern journalism

By Fiifi NETTEY

According to UNESCO (2014), journalism is “the production and distribution of news on events, facts, ideas and people that are of public interest and adhere to core principles of accuracy, independence, fairness and accountability.”

For decades, journalism has been known as a demanding and rigorous profession, involving processes of news gathering, editing and the presentation of verified facts for public consumption. As a specialised field, it requires some form of professional training to ensure the accurate and responsible communication of information. Yet, many people wrongly assume journalism can be practised without the necessary skills — a notion l totally disagree.

Traditionally, journalists relied on basic tools such as cameras, recorders and notepads for fieldwork. Print journalists often walk in pairs – a cameraman and a journalist (reporter), while electronic media normally moves in teams of two or three — typically a reporter, a cameraman and a lighting technician.

However, the advent of mobile technology has completely transformed the media landscape. The rise of smartphones has revolutionised every aspect of journalism, introducing new levels of efficiency, accessibility and speed. Today, with just a click on a mobile device, news can reach the public within seconds. Many journalists now depend heavily on mobile phones as their primary working tools — combining the functions of a camera, recorder, laptop, television and radio in one compact device (convergence).

A smartphone is a hand-held electronic device that provides a connection to a cellular network and the Internet and runs an operating system capable of running downloaded applications. TechTarget (2023). Modern smartphones have gone far beyond their basic communication purpose. They have become multi-functional gadgets that allow journalists to record interviews, take photographs, edit stories and publish content online — all from one device (smartphone). The smartphone has made journalism practice faster, reliable, lighter and more efficient.

Now, journalism is far more convenient and less stressful, one reporter explained. “We no longer need to carry multiple devices — everything we need is on our phones.”

Bright, a colleague journalist, recounted how he began using his mobile phone as his main reporting tool after working with a BBC crew in Ghana. Serving as their fixer during their stay in the country to file stories on sanitation, he was amazed that the team used only their smartphones to record videos, take photos and even file stories directly to the BBC newsroom in the United Kingdom.

“Watching them work, I realised mobile phones could do far more than we imagined,” Bright said.  “I can now cover breaking news quickly and send it to my editor without delay. It has completely changed my work.” Nixon, another journalist, shared that mobile phones have enhanced his reporting efficiency, though he prefers typing on a laptop. “I’m not very comfortable typing on my phone,” he admitted, “but I edit faster on it, which has made me more productive and efficient.”

For Prince, a freelance journalist who runs his own online news platform, mobile phones have been a game-changer. “My abilities in news gathering, writing and dissemination have all improved,” he said. “I manage my entire website on my phone. With one device, I can record voices, edit audio, write and post stories instantly.”

Michael echoed similar sentiments, describing mobile phones as the most essential tool in modern-day journalism. Covering press conferences or events has become less stressful,  he said: “I can write and send stories directly to my editor, or even go live from my phone. Journalism is now more efficient and timelier than ever through mobile technology”.

Nii also attested to the transformation, explaining that mobile phones have made editing faster and more reliable. “In the past, I had to write stories by hand, then visit an Internet café to type and send them. Today, everything happens instantly on my phone. It has improved my efficiency beyond measure.”

A veteran journalist reflected on the generational shift, amazed at how young reporters now produce and transmit complete stories within minutes. “In our time, journalism was tough,”  he recalled. “We carried notepads and recorders everywhere, transcribed manually and raced to meet deadlines. Now, everything seems effortless — it’s unbelievable.

Enoch, however, pointed out that some event organisers still underestimate journalists using mobile phones. Many think a mobile phone cannot perform like a professional camera, he said. They only believe it when they see the final output. From my own experience, using a mobile phone at events sometimes leads to scepticism. Some organisers dismiss you, assuming you are not a legitimate journalist — until they see your final work.

Eric, a colleague, described mobile technology as the best thing that has ever happened to journalism. “It’s the fastest, easiest and most reliable tool I’ve ever used,” he said. “I can’t remember the last time I opened my laptop to write a story — I don’t even carry it anymore.”

Similarly, Akwesi Agyeman, an editor, added that mobile phones have made his work easier, more efficient and more accessible. “Deadlines are now easier to meet,” he said. “Typing on my phone is faster, and sending stories is instant. I can’t imagine working without it.”

Indeed, the mobile revolution has reshaped journalism — making it more dynamic, flexible and immediate. What once required an entire crew and heavy equipment can now be done with a single device in one hand and by a single reporter. As technology continues to advance, the journalist’s mobile phone has evolved from a communication tool into a complete newsroom — redefining how stories are captured, created and shared in the modern world.

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