Virtual Reality and Journalism

Abstract

Immersion is a state of altered consciousness—not the prim suspension of disbelief, but its joyous capsizing. Since approximately 2012, a new ecosystem of immersive virtual reality technologies and experiments has emerged. In this emerging ecosystem, journalism is still a minor component. Nevertheless, media outlets such as The New York Times, BBC or ABC News have been producing virtual reality news stories. This led to the advent of immersive journalism, not only as a media phenomenon, but also as an academic concept. Drawing on some notions and concepts like the definitions of immersive journalism, immersion and presence, as well as some examples of the relation between journalism practices and visual media, we analyse, reflect and provide a general overview about the main concepts, uses, opportunities and limits of immersive journalism. Thus, the main goal of this article is to provide a theoretical and conceptual gateway that serves as a starting point for immersive journalism future academic and industry endeavours.

Keywords:

• digital journalism
• immersion
• immersive journalism
• journalism practices
• presence
• virtual reality
• visual media

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. PhD Research Fellowship [GRANT/AWARD NUMBER: PD/BD/128228/2016].

Notes on contributors

António Baía Reis

António Baía Reis (author to whom correspondence should be addressed), UT Austin|Portugal International CoLab, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-745n1-1725

António Fernando Vasconcelos Cunha Castro Coelho

António Fernando Vasconcelos Cunha Castro Coelho, INESC TEC and DEI/Faculty of Engineering, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal. E-mail: [email protected]. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7949-2877