Visual content of local online journalism: contemporary trends and issues

Introduction. The Ukrainian socio-communicative discourse presents a significant number of investigations, which examine the visual practices of different types of media. However, there are almost no works where the visual component of local internet publications is considered. This determines the relevance of our research. The aim is to investigate the trends in the visual content functioning presented in Sumy online media.

Methodology. It is based on a systematic approach that allowed us to identify trends concerning the peculiarities of the visual content of Sumy online media. At different stages of the study, we used such methods as analysis of scientific literature, content analysis, statistical method, etc. Results. Analysis of visual content presented in Sumy online media showed that in general, publications are trying to follow the general trend, which is to strengthen the visual component. Only a small proportion of internet publications do not pay much attention to visual language. One local edition has a clear strategy for producing visual content among the online media we have examined. Visual content presented in Sumy online media, despite the general tendency to strengthen it, is not distinguished by diversity, it is monotonous. The largest share is photo images. Usually, they are not marked by quality, limited by the amount of use, the principles of placement. Sumy online media also use such visual elements as videos, pictures, infographics, graphic standards, more seldom they use screenshots and scan copies. Gradually, local online media are also mastering new visual elements, which are related to i-frames – embedded texts of posts from social networks. The problem area defines the frequent use of non-unique visual content by online publications. This is especially true for videos, pictures, infographics, graphical standards, partially photos. Conclusions. Local online media should clearly understand that the level of their competitiveness entirely depends on many factors, one of which is the strengthening and diversification of the visual component. The raised problem is the first step in resolving this issue. We consider the development of recommendations for editorial boards, focusing the attention of media students on the outlined issue and making them develop a clear understanding of the importance of visual communication.

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