Journalism and documentary filmmaking are two media that couldn’t be more similar and different simultaneously. The former is supposed to be engaged in truth-telling. It is much more fast-paced and is supposed to be objective. Documentaries have much more leeway in that they are not time-bound in a news cycle, in most cases. They can pursue the subject matter in depth — unlike journalism, which can often be touch-and-go, almost like a crash course on things that affect the layperson.
Journalists are often operating within a news organisation. There are a myriad of things that affect the story that is put out at the end of the day. Most of all — funding. It is the constant dilemma of a newsroom, as to whether a certain story will deter advertisers from their publication.
Reaching a larger audience is one of the main benefits of merging journalism and documentary filmmaking. Written pieces or news segments are frequently used in traditional journalism. However, not all viewers may find them compelling. Journalists can craft visually captivating narratives that appeal to a wider audience by utilising documentary techniques. When discussing delicate or complicated subjects that call for a more nuanced approach, this can have a particularly powerful effect.
While long-form documentaries and daily news differ in their operations, journalists and documentary filmmakers pose related questions about power-sharing and accountability in the context of the subject matter of the stories they tell. As audiences, we turn to both of them, depending on the circumstances — for the truth. For reliable information.
In the current digital era, where consumers are saturated with information and visual storytelling is at its zenith, the fields of documentary filmmaking and journalism have inadvertently become one blurry mass. The purpose of both media is to enlighten and engage viewers. When combined — they produce a potent synergy that can enthral viewers and highlight significant issues. When journalism and documentary film are combined, stories can be explored in greater detail, from a distinct angle, and with a treatment that is not possible with traditional journalism.
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