Blurring the Lines: Feature News Videos and Documentaries in a New Digital Age
Abstract
Historically, feature stories in the news have been characterized by their timely and episodic coverage of current events. In comparison, documentaries have been known to be in-depth, thematic explorations of social, political, or cultural issues. As news organizations expand their multimedia offerings and documentary filmmakers are increasingly driven towards creating interactive content, the boundaries between these forms of storytelling have become increasingly unclear. Through a comparative analysis and literature reviews, this paper investigates the creative elements such as narrative structure, visual style, and authorial voice in feature news videos and documentaries have changed within the contemporary media ecosystem, and examines the evolution of non-fictional storytelling. The study situates this inquiry within the broader context of disruption and reimagination in journalism and non-fictional storytelling within our digital landscape. Ultimately, by examining the blurring of the lines between feature news videos and documentaries, this paper provides insight into the changing dynamics of truth-telling and meaning-making in the new media landscape.
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