Technology journalism

In this article, we will explore the fascinating history of Technology journalism, from its origins to its impact on modern society. Technology journalism has been a relevant figure in popular culture for decades, capturing the attention and interest of people of all ages. Over the years, Technology journalism has evolved and taken different forms, but its influence remains undeniable. In this article, we will examine how Technology journalism has shaped the way we see the world, and how its legacy lives on today. Join us on this journey through time and discover Technology journalism's lasting impact on our society.

Journalism
Areas
Genres
Social impact
News media
Roles
"Tech news" redirects here. For tech news on Wikipedia, see Wikipedia:Tech news.

Technology journalism is the genre of reporting that concerns the development, marketing, and application of technology. The field covers a wide variety of topics, including communications, artificial intelligence, the Internet, social media, the IT industry, scientific research, robotics, and laws and policies regarding the digital world. Many news organizations feature prominent coverage of technology, especially as pertains to the economic, political, and cultural role of Big Tech companies and products.

History

Early developments in the Information Age were often covered by established news organizations under the umbrella of science journalism. The MIT Technology Review, first published in 1899 as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's alumni magazine, began pivoting toward objective reporting on the technology industry in the late 1920s.[1]

As inventions such as personal computers and data storage devices became more ubiquitous and commercially accessible, some journalists began focusing on the nascent computer industry. Early tech reporters included John Battelle, John Markoff, Kara Swisher, Walt Mossberg, and Steven Levy.[2][3][4][5] In the 1980s and 1990s, some magazines were founded to report specifically on technology, often from a consumer orientation; these included PCMag, Wired, and Sound & Vision, which focused specifically on digital television.[3][6][7] Some early exclusively digital publications focused on technology, such as Gizmodo and TechCrunch.[8][9]

Technology journalism has grown in prominence in the 21st century. Most major news organizations have a desk dedicated to technology, and some operate bureaus based in Silicon Valley, where many technology companies are headquartered.[10][11][12] Tech journalists have broken major stories that shaped public perception of the industry and led to significant court cases, including John Carreyrou's investigation into the medical startup Theranos and CoinDesk's reporting on fraud at the cryptocurrency exchange FTX.[2][13]

Subgenres

The increasing market power of technology companies, especially in the United States and China, has meant modern technology journalism often falls under the umbrella of business journalism, including as pertains to tech companies' treatment of workers, marketing strategies, and involvement in the political sphere.[14][15] Some tech journalists investigate tech companies' activities, revealing undisclosed details on topics such as information privacy protocols, data security, and the right to repair.[16][17]

Because many hardware and software products are oriented toward consumers, general-audience tech publications often combine reporting with service journalism, offering readers insights on new tech products and sometimes recommendations on which to purchase. Beginning as a cable television channel and ultimately a website, CNET has long focused on offering perspective on new technology products.[18] Broader product review websites such as Wirecutter and The Strategist offer independent recommendations funded by affiliate links, which offer publications a commission when they refer a consumer who ultimately makes a purchase.[19] Close relationships between tech journalists and the companies they cover have sometimes led to concerns about uncritical reporting on industry claims.[20]

Some technology journalists also cover culture, especially those focusing on digital communities and social media. The "internet culture" beat often overlaps with celebrity and entertainment coverage, especially as pertains to reporting on influencers and other prominent figures who are predominantly known for their online presence.[21] Video game journalism incorporates a synthesis of business reporting on game companies and games' reception in popular culture.[22]

References

  1. ^ Garfinkel, Simson (2024-01-04). "How Technology Review got its start". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  2. ^ a b Swisher, Kara (2024-02-07). "Over Three Decades, Tech Obliterated Media". Intelligencer. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  3. ^ a b Greenwald, Ted. "Step Behind the Scenes of the Frantic, Madcap Birth of WIRED". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  4. ^ DiTrolio, Megan (2025-01-25). "The Tangled Tale of The Times's URL". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  5. ^ Carr, David (2014-06-25). "Medium Hires Tech Writer Steven Levy as It Moves From Platform to Publisher". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  6. ^ Miller, Michael J. (2022-10-04). "An Ode to PCMag: A Personal Computing Legacy". PCMAG. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  7. ^ Antonoff, Michael (2024-08-21). "I founded a pioneering tech magazine. Tech killed it off". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  8. ^ Gizmodo (2022-08-01). "This Is How Gizmodo Started". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  9. ^ Panzarino, Matthew (2023-08-28). "10 years at TechCrunch". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  10. ^ Burch, Sean (2025-03-05). "Wall Street Journal Cuts Tech Reporters and Editors in Media Reconfiguration of Coverage". TheWrap. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  11. ^ Swisher, Kara (2014-12-03). "Wired's Mat Honan Hired to Run New BuzzFeed Silicon Valley Bureau". Vox. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  12. ^ Streitfeld, David (2018-07-18). "When a Tech Reporter Doesn't Use Much Tech". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  13. ^ Dugan, Kevin T. (2022-12-21). "How CoinDesk Took Down SBF". Intelligencer. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  14. ^ "Investigative Reporting on Technology from ProPublica". ProPublica. 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  15. ^ Ayeni, Damilola (2025-03-01). "Dear tech journalist, look beyond business updates". TechCabal. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  16. ^ Silverman, Justin R. (2024-04-18). "404 Media and the hopes of worker-owned journalism". Columbia Journalism Review. Retrieved 2025-03-06. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  17. ^ Berkowitz, Joe (2023-11-19). "Why worker-owned publications like Defector and 404 Media are winning". Fast Company. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  18. ^ Turrentine, Lindsey (2020-05-26). "In a world where everything constant changes, CNET started as a website, and still is a website". CNET. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  19. ^ Bereznak, Alyssa (2019-06-13). "Don't Know Which Toaster to Buy? There's a Website for That". The Ringer. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  20. ^ Brennen, J. Scott; Howard, Philip N.; Nielsen, Rasmus K. (2021-11-26). "Balancing Product Reviews, Traffic Targets, and Industry Criticism: UK Technology Journalism in Practice". Journalism Practice. 15 (10): 1479–1496. doi:10.1080/17512786.2020.1783567. ISSN 1751-2786.
  21. ^ Lorenz, Taylor (2019-12-11). "This Is Not About How Young People Use Tech". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-03-06.
  22. ^ MacLeod, Riley (2025-01-16). "What Games Journalism Can Do Now". Aftermath. Retrieved 2025-03-06.

See also