European journalists now producing more original content online, says survey

This article was migrated from an old version of our website in 2025. As a result, it might have some low-quality images or non-functioning links - if there's any issues you'd like to see fixed, get in touch with us at info@journalism.co.uk.

European journalists are producing an increasing amount of original content for online-only publications - but teach themselves the digital skills to produce it, a new survey has suggested.

PR agency network Oriella PR Network, polled 354 journalists from national, trade, regional and broadcast media from Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Sweden and the UK, for the 2009 European Digital Journalism Survey, and results suggested a significant rise in the amount of original content being produced for online from 2008.

According to the survey, 43 per cent of those polled said at least 60 per cent of the material produced for online is original content.

But 67 per cent of respondents said they had taught themselves digital skills, such as video editing and formatting for online. Only one in nine per cent of participants said they had received presenting to video training, for example.

Blogging was now part of the day job for 46 per cent of respondents, while 47 per cent said they were required to produce online video clips.

While 53 per cent of the journalists said they were concerned about the uncertainty of online media's business and 40 per cent said they were having to produce more content as a result of shrinking editorial teams, the survey suggested most journalists were as happy or happier in their current roles (84 per cent).

Additionally, only 21 per cent of those polled said they felt the quality of their work had become worse because of changes to their job.

The research has also suggested a sea change in publishing groups' attitudes to online as a platform: only nine per cent of respondents said their employer used online as just an archive for content; while one in 10 said their title had made the switch from traditional media to an online-only outlet.

The UK picture

Concern that their traditional media channel (print, radio or television) would be taken off the market was highest amongst UK journalists taking part in the survey (75 per cent).

Two thirds of UK respondents predicted a dramatic reduction in the number of printed media titles in forthcoming years.

Twitter and online audiences

This year's research also explored the impact of Twitter on European journalists.

More than a third of European publications have Twitter channels, with the UK and Netherlands being the earliest adopters.

For the majority, 'traditional' formats still generate the largest audience, but a quarter of those polled said online audiences were now their biggest.