Metaverse And Virtual Journalism

The concept of immersive virtual worlds, sometimes termed the 'metaverse,' represents an emerging frontier for digital journalism. This paper provides a synthesized literature review focusing on scholarship regarding immersive and virtual journalism. Drawing on foundational texts and peer-reviewed research, it defines key concepts and critically examines the potential evolution of journalism within immersive environments. By analyzing existing scholarship from a global perspective, this paper identifies significant patterns, contradictions, and gaps in understanding. Key theoretical lenses, including media convergence, digital journalism ethics, and immersive presence theory, frame the analysis. The synthesis reveals a consistent vision of immersive journalism as an extension of digital practice, offering first-person news experiences. Dominant patterns identified in the literature include the reliance on technological advancements, a shift towards heightened audience interaction, the emergence of novel ethical dilemmas, the experimental nature of business models, and evolving journalistic practices. Contradictions emerge between the potential for immersive engagement and concerns regarding accuracy and ethical risks. Significant gaps noted in the literature include empirical research on audience effects, sustainable monetization, and standardized ethical protocols. While immersive technologies offer opportunities for engaging storytelling, substantial challenges—ranging from infrastructure disparities to normative uncertainties—were apparent. The paper concludes that immersive journalism holds potential to influence the future of news, but realizing this requires addressing identified gaps through targeted research, collaborative innovation, and inclusive strategies.