Geolocating Mobile Media: Exploring Gratification Opportunities and Location Based Services in Oklahoma Newspapers

Abstract

Traditional media, such as newspapers, have been struggling to maintain their autonomy in the wake of the digital revolution in mass media. Smaller news outlets situated in local communities have been subject to declining revenues and readership, forcing many organizations to sell to large investment firms or simply close their doors. This study looks to examine how traditional news outlets can strengthen their position in local media markets by developing complementary mobile news technology, and if location-based services plays a significant role in the gratifications of mobile news consumption. The theory of uses and gratifications (focusing on mobile media) will be used to survey businesses and newspaper readers in seven communities in eastern Oklahoma to determine (1) if a mobile news application or mobile news in general would potentially increase readership and revenue for local newspapers and (2) how newspaper readers interact with mobile media on their smartphones by way of mobile media gratifications. Gratification opportunities, in the vein of the U&G approach, will also be employed to further the theoretical assertions of U&G as well as apply new media gratifications to local communities and community newspapers. Keywords: location-based services, community journalism, mobile media, smartphone, news application, uses and gratifications, newspapers, local news