Virtual Reality Journalism

Abstract

VR journalism (also immersive journalism) differs radically from previous forms of journalism in that it offers not only a presentation, but also a sensory experience of reality. Thus, it provides a uniquely different level of experiencing the news than reading print or watching audiovisual material. VR is often defined via two main features: presence and immersion. To date, the most popular technical format for VR journalism has been 360 video, although this offers a limited experience of presence and immersion. Many bottlenecks are preventing the spread of VR in journalism. Also, many ethical questions require solutions before VR journalism can become mainstream.