*The Integrated Newsroom

1.4 Limitations

There were a number of limitations to this study. Akin with the quick-changing nature of the medium, both newspapers were undergoing changes in policy and production routines during the periods of study. The Straits Times for example was embarking on a project to change the content and direction of its websites, staff were about to be reassigned and there was a major policy change. The researcher was not privy to this information because of company policy, which was understandable. This drawback however was minimised by keeping a close watch on Singapore news and keeping in close contact with journalists to keep abreast of changes and ongoing research in the area.

The Age Online case study provided particular challenges when former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett announced the state election a few days prior to the visit. Alhough this allowed the researcher to sample the hectic pace of the newsroom, it was difficult to arrange interviews and speak to key personnel at length. To counter this, follow-up interviews were conducted by e-mail. The change in government also resulted in a switch in CIT policy, the effects of which have yet to be fully realised.

At the time of the study, the researcher had spent a year and a half in Australia with limited work exposure in local newsrooms. On the other hand, he has prior newsroom experience and maintained well-placed contacts in Singapore, all of which allowed a fruitful trip and access to quality information and policies. In addition, the researcher approached a number of 'experts' in specific areas to enhance his knowledge of strategic aspects of online news production, technicalities involving information technology and the World Wide Web.

This study does not seek to judge the status of technological acceptance within the integrated newsroom or its practitioners. However, it does seek to develop a broad understanding of the current technological environment from country-level right down to the actual news product. It makes a number of assumptions in the process, picks up common strands between Australia and Singapore and highlights a number of trends occurring within the integrated newsroom. Hopefully this study will form a foundation for further research into specific areas of the online news production process.