MMJ 191 WEEK 5

GMA Network, an example of successful media convergence in Philippines

One great example of a successful convergence news operation I have noticed and admired in this country is GMANews.tv owned and operated by GMA Network Inc.
Well, given that I am one of their stringers serving in the Southern part of the country, I can say the network’s GMANews.TV website is the leading and future of media in the country as it becomes the crossroad for all of its News 'products'. They have the articles and photos there (online/print), live stream for DZBB (radio), and the videos they air from (TV) news, current affairs programs and which the social media could interact.

Since 2007, GMA News website has utilized social networking sites in their news dissemination and newsgathering, making the news processes and operations very interactive. People can like a page, comment on articles, or even submit articles, photo or act as youscooopers or citizen journalists. News became too friendly for people that headlines appear instantaneously at our Facebook and twitter feeds.
Netizens follow the twitter accounts; favorite celebrities, sports icon, several government offices and trends like fashion and technology and sometimes ended viral in the social media.

Strengths.
* Cost efficient in delivering the information to online audience
* Worldwide Interactive access, 24/7
* Centralized site for the network, all-in-one information shopping
* Feedback is immediate
* Viewers can replay and watch anytime favorite news /article
* Could serve as research site


Weaknesses
* Choice fatigue in terms of platforms and channels, too many choices, platforms used, and hard for audience to ‘keep up’ with it all

* The quality of video streaming, audio is unstable, depends on quality of Internet access
* Online/Internet illiterates mostly the old and rural folks could not avail this medium

Opportunities
* Home for the fast growing numbers of netizens
* New business ventures or merging could come along


Threats
*Copyright issues
* Print media will become obsolete
* Less media people will be hired
* Destabilizers could penetrate and give negative, malicious feedback about the news organization that aims to destroy reputation and spread it in the social media.