Modern technology is rapidly changing the reporting industry and has led the public to question the integrity of journalistic work in the media. Graduate students and staff members from Columbia University's Journalism program explained how high-tech equipment is transforming the field.

Broadcast and AV coordinator Rachel Wolther made mention of how journalistic technology is catering to the public. "What's important to a lot of people is up to the minute news and that's what technology - our new type of video, shooting, editing - is really good for." 

Technology has multiplied the speed of news release, leading some to doubt the integrity of journalistic work. Ignacio Torres, a graduate student in the School of Journalism, claimed that high speed production actually makes slip ups easier to fix. 

"If there is a mistake that you make, um something that you got wrong, I think you do have that opportunity to quickly go back and correct that information" 

There has also been some concern that the mass distribution of information may reduce the need for journalists. Torres assures that easy to access information benefits reporters and enhances the content of their stories. 

 "The standards are getting higher and higher - just because we have a lot more access to documents...we have a lot more access and quicker access."

Torres claims that journalists still maintain a significant role in presenting information to the public. 

"There is so much information out there that I think you need the journalists who can decipher all that information and pick out whats important." 

The consensus among students is that, although evolution is necessary, the fundamentals of reporting will remain consistent. Students, feel that once journalists have mastered the new mediums of reporting the new technologies will advance the field. 

Journalism student Joe Prodman stated, "The industry has been in this kind of transitional period - or just like a really rough time and I think a lot of that has to do with there is a lack o in the things being produced today - and I think a lot of it is that people are not necessarily understanding the new technology" 

Ignacio Torres agrees, "A lot of the times journalism has to sort of adapt to the medium and the technology and understand that it has to change according to how you are going to be sending out the news and how people are going to be receiving the news." 

The graduate program recognizes the importance of teaching digital reporting. On October 19th, Columbia opened the doors to the Tow Center for Digital Journalism. The center's director, Emily Bell, will educate journalists so that they are prepared for the age of digital news.