Esa Sirkkunen | Tampere University (original) (raw)

Papers by Esa Sirkkunen

Profesional De La Informacion, Feb 9, 2022

News media organizations have been experimenting with immersive journalism formats in recent year... more News media organizations have been experimenting with immersive journalism formats in recent years. The search for new ways to tell stories is driven by technology and has given rise to new-and not so new-forms of expression. The initial enthusiasm has dissipated over the years, so the uncertainty of the future of immersive journalism justifies the study of the most potential ways of using this technology in journalism. This research was carried out in Finland and Spain, and it is based on a textual narrative analysis and a reception study comparing the online article and 360º video versions of the report Fukushima: Contaminated Lives from El país. The results identify the affordances of both formats and confirm that immersive journalism has the capacity to generate a greater emotional effect based on a greater perception of presence, realism and involvement, also having a positive impact on increasing interest and changing opinions on related topics. The narration of online article seems to work better only if there is large amount of information that has to be understood and contextualized. However, authors claim that, instead of an essential break, there are similarities between both formats, which are situated on the same continuum of emotionality and rationality. These findings also indicate that immersive storytelling can be an important part of the emotional or affective turn in contemporary journalism. The sensation of presence and empathy towards distant and complex realities emerge as the main distinguishing values of the kind of immersive journalism that Fukushima: Contaminated lives represents.

Neighbourhood TV, a two-year digital television project, was launched in spring 2004. The goal of... more Neighbourhood TV, a two-year digital television project, was launched in spring 2004. The goal of the project was to develop a format for interactive services and study the opportunities that digital television presents as a local service and information medium. During the project, a field trial was conducted in the Tampere region. The aims of the field trial were to find out what kind of local government services would be suitable for television, and what new means of communication digital television could offer for local government, local communities and local businesses. Another goal of the project was to promote user-generated content production by broadcasting users' videos on the Neighbourhood TV channel.

Routledge eBooks, Jan 12, 2021

This is a self-archived version of an original article. This version may differ from the original... more This is a self-archived version of an original article. This version may differ from the original in pagination and typographic details.

This booklet showcases findings from a research project called VIRJOX-Engaging services in virtua... more This booklet showcases findings from a research project called VIRJOX-Engaging services in virtual reality 1 carried out in Finland between the end of 2016 and summer 2018. VIRJOX focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of immersive experiences for digital services, primarily based on virtual reality (VR). The two application areas were journalism and airport context. The VIRJOX project was carried out as a collaboration between the following three universities and their departments and research entities:

University of Tampere eBooks, Oct 12, 2012

Business, marketing & sales, paid full time Business, marketing & sales, paid half time Business,... more Business, marketing & sales, paid full time Business, marketing & sales, paid half time Business, marketing & sales, revenue share Business, marketing & sales, other How is your time divided between doing business and content?

The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies, Apr 29, 2019

Routledge eBooks, Jan 12, 2021

This paper presents a state-of-the-art overview on journalism and its opportunities and challenge... more This paper presents a state-of-the-art overview on journalism and its opportunities and challenges in virtual reality. First we take a look at what kind of real-life journalistic experiments there have been made in this field so far, then we analyze the research literature on journalistic VR. The paper proceeds to discuss the emergence of virtual reality and immersive journalism explored in the latest reports in the fields of HCI and VR design. In order to analyse VR-journalism further, early draft of analysis model is being developed based on sample of three VR-productions and four VR-applications. The paper concludes to discuss the results of the analysis and outlines more advanced and interdisciplinary research approach for studying and designing journalistic VR productions.

Journal of digital media & policy, Oct 12, 2022

In this article, we explore the possibilities for the self-regulation of online platforms, here b... more In this article, we explore the possibilities for the self-regulation of online platforms, here by using Facebook’s Oversight Board (OB) as an example. First, we analyse and systematize how the OB fits in the mosaic of internet regulation. Our analysis shows that the OB has tried to lay the foundation for global self-regulation, but because of its limited jurisdiction and indicative nature, it falls short of becoming a real ‘supreme court’ of Facebook. In addition, although the OB is a positive attempt to deal with many problems, it does not seem to be able to process enough cases, relies on idiosyncratic standards instead of general rules and principles and has problems deciding which human rights principles it should follow. Additionally, the OB is not compatible with the Digital Services Act (DSA) of the European Union or with the recent initiatives for social media councils.

New Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) provide both communities and individuals wi... more New Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) provide both communities and individuals with a range of novel possibilities from new skills and career opportunities to improved sources of information and tools for communication and public participation. However, the fruits of technological progression are unevenly distributed. What is more, the aspired goal of technology furthering democracy remains yet to be reached. The Evolution of eCommunities project attempts to answer the following questions among others: ● What are the influences of local net communities on the life of corresponding geographical districts and on the degree of participation of their residents? ● What kinds of new forms, practices and types of narration can net communities create? The report presents several examples of citizen innovativeness: voluntary correspondents developing reality-based and life-like journalism concerning their own residential district, the gypsies describing their history and answering questions concerning their culture and active citizens brainstorming and creating new tools for discussion and civic participation on the net. The report also shows how a mobile camera phone can prove to be useful for local communities in their web-mediated communication. The Evolution of eCommunities project is built on the collaboration of citizens and researchers. The project, applying the action research approach, bases its analyses on the concepts of digital empowerment, sociocultural animation, deliberative democracy theory and media pedagogy

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2013

We conducted a five-week field trial on mobile crowdsourcing of hyperlocal news content to 1) und... more We conducted a five-week field trial on mobile crowdsourcing of hyperlocal news content to 1) understand the readers' experiences and 2) explore factors affecting their participation. In the end of the study the participants were surveyed with an online questionnaire (17/104 respondents) and five participants were interviewed. Although respondents and interviewees were enthusiastic about the trial, the activity in the trial was low. Results indicate that participant characteristics (age, gender, participation motivations and hobbyist background in photography) and task characteristics in terms of the subjectively perceived task significance (possible impact on important issues in the environment or on community), task relevance (related to the background and participation motivation), and task engagingness have an effect on the participation. In addition, participation was influenced by the estimated needed effort vs. the expected benefit (monetary benefit or having a possibility to influence), vicinity to the assignment location, enjoyment of the activity, and the monetary reward. To plan and manage the crowdsourcing activity the news publishers need information about the characteristics of the participants, participation patterns and motivations that could be provided by the crowdsourcing platform.

In our study we explored how to design a biography of a late Finnish artist as a VR experience. W... more In our study we explored how to design a biography of a late Finnish artist as a VR experience. We conducted a development process assisted by user experience (UX) design methods, which increased the process efficiency, and resulted in a research prototype. Through previous research and our development process, we identified components affecting the user experience. These components are: Immersion, Presence, Disorientation, Sense of Control, Pleasantness, Exploration and Simulator Sickness. From our user study with 13 participants, we were able to draw implications that relate to these components. While the set of components could be incomplete or subject to change, shows that further research is necessary for a more comprehensive knowledge of user experience in the field of Virtual reality.

Journal of Media Business Studies, Dec 1, 2013

Abstract There has been much discussion about a shift from general news towards a marketplace of ... more Abstract There has been much discussion about a shift from general news towards a marketplace of niche. We have examined the business models of 69 journalistic online-only startups in 2011–12 in ten countries operating a sustainable niche. We correlate our findings against Chris Anderson’s long-tail Internet model to explore if it can explain the marketplace of niche journalism. We find that the long tail model goes some way to explain the business model of journalistic content creation. However, it does not allow for the complexities around niche that generate revenues around platforms, selling technology or information on a business-tobusiness basis.

Profesional De La Informacion, Feb 9, 2022

News media organizations have been experimenting with immersive journalism formats in recent year... more News media organizations have been experimenting with immersive journalism formats in recent years. The search for new ways to tell stories is driven by technology and has given rise to new-and not so new-forms of expression. The initial enthusiasm has dissipated over the years, so the uncertainty of the future of immersive journalism justifies the study of the most potential ways of using this technology in journalism. This research was carried out in Finland and Spain, and it is based on a textual narrative analysis and a reception study comparing the online article and 360º video versions of the report Fukushima: Contaminated Lives from El país. The results identify the affordances of both formats and confirm that immersive journalism has the capacity to generate a greater emotional effect based on a greater perception of presence, realism and involvement, also having a positive impact on increasing interest and changing opinions on related topics. The narration of online article seems to work better only if there is large amount of information that has to be understood and contextualized. However, authors claim that, instead of an essential break, there are similarities between both formats, which are situated on the same continuum of emotionality and rationality. These findings also indicate that immersive storytelling can be an important part of the emotional or affective turn in contemporary journalism. The sensation of presence and empathy towards distant and complex realities emerge as the main distinguishing values of the kind of immersive journalism that Fukushima: Contaminated lives represents.

Neighbourhood TV, a two-year digital television project, was launched in spring 2004. The goal of... more Neighbourhood TV, a two-year digital television project, was launched in spring 2004. The goal of the project was to develop a format for interactive services and study the opportunities that digital television presents as a local service and information medium. During the project, a field trial was conducted in the Tampere region. The aims of the field trial were to find out what kind of local government services would be suitable for television, and what new means of communication digital television could offer for local government, local communities and local businesses. Another goal of the project was to promote user-generated content production by broadcasting users' videos on the Neighbourhood TV channel.

Routledge eBooks, Jan 12, 2021

This is a self-archived version of an original article. This version may differ from the original... more This is a self-archived version of an original article. This version may differ from the original in pagination and typographic details.

This booklet showcases findings from a research project called VIRJOX-Engaging services in virtua... more This booklet showcases findings from a research project called VIRJOX-Engaging services in virtual reality 1 carried out in Finland between the end of 2016 and summer 2018. VIRJOX focused on the design, implementation, and evaluation of immersive experiences for digital services, primarily based on virtual reality (VR). The two application areas were journalism and airport context. The VIRJOX project was carried out as a collaboration between the following three universities and their departments and research entities:

University of Tampere eBooks, Oct 12, 2012

Business, marketing & sales, paid full time Business, marketing & sales, paid half time Business,... more Business, marketing & sales, paid full time Business, marketing & sales, paid half time Business, marketing & sales, revenue share Business, marketing & sales, other How is your time divided between doing business and content?

The International Encyclopedia of Journalism Studies, Apr 29, 2019

Routledge eBooks, Jan 12, 2021

This paper presents a state-of-the-art overview on journalism and its opportunities and challenge... more This paper presents a state-of-the-art overview on journalism and its opportunities and challenges in virtual reality. First we take a look at what kind of real-life journalistic experiments there have been made in this field so far, then we analyze the research literature on journalistic VR. The paper proceeds to discuss the emergence of virtual reality and immersive journalism explored in the latest reports in the fields of HCI and VR design. In order to analyse VR-journalism further, early draft of analysis model is being developed based on sample of three VR-productions and four VR-applications. The paper concludes to discuss the results of the analysis and outlines more advanced and interdisciplinary research approach for studying and designing journalistic VR productions.

Journal of digital media & policy, Oct 12, 2022

In this article, we explore the possibilities for the self-regulation of online platforms, here b... more In this article, we explore the possibilities for the self-regulation of online platforms, here by using Facebook’s Oversight Board (OB) as an example. First, we analyse and systematize how the OB fits in the mosaic of internet regulation. Our analysis shows that the OB has tried to lay the foundation for global self-regulation, but because of its limited jurisdiction and indicative nature, it falls short of becoming a real ‘supreme court’ of Facebook. In addition, although the OB is a positive attempt to deal with many problems, it does not seem to be able to process enough cases, relies on idiosyncratic standards instead of general rules and principles and has problems deciding which human rights principles it should follow. Additionally, the OB is not compatible with the Digital Services Act (DSA) of the European Union or with the recent initiatives for social media councils.

New Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) provide both communities and individuals wi... more New Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) provide both communities and individuals with a range of novel possibilities from new skills and career opportunities to improved sources of information and tools for communication and public participation. However, the fruits of technological progression are unevenly distributed. What is more, the aspired goal of technology furthering democracy remains yet to be reached. The Evolution of eCommunities project attempts to answer the following questions among others: ● What are the influences of local net communities on the life of corresponding geographical districts and on the degree of participation of their residents? ● What kinds of new forms, practices and types of narration can net communities create? The report presents several examples of citizen innovativeness: voluntary correspondents developing reality-based and life-like journalism concerning their own residential district, the gypsies describing their history and answering questions concerning their culture and active citizens brainstorming and creating new tools for discussion and civic participation on the net. The report also shows how a mobile camera phone can prove to be useful for local communities in their web-mediated communication. The Evolution of eCommunities project is built on the collaboration of citizens and researchers. The project, applying the action research approach, bases its analyses on the concepts of digital empowerment, sociocultural animation, deliberative democracy theory and media pedagogy

Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 2013

We conducted a five-week field trial on mobile crowdsourcing of hyperlocal news content to 1) und... more We conducted a five-week field trial on mobile crowdsourcing of hyperlocal news content to 1) understand the readers' experiences and 2) explore factors affecting their participation. In the end of the study the participants were surveyed with an online questionnaire (17/104 respondents) and five participants were interviewed. Although respondents and interviewees were enthusiastic about the trial, the activity in the trial was low. Results indicate that participant characteristics (age, gender, participation motivations and hobbyist background in photography) and task characteristics in terms of the subjectively perceived task significance (possible impact on important issues in the environment or on community), task relevance (related to the background and participation motivation), and task engagingness have an effect on the participation. In addition, participation was influenced by the estimated needed effort vs. the expected benefit (monetary benefit or having a possibility to influence), vicinity to the assignment location, enjoyment of the activity, and the monetary reward. To plan and manage the crowdsourcing activity the news publishers need information about the characteristics of the participants, participation patterns and motivations that could be provided by the crowdsourcing platform.

In our study we explored how to design a biography of a late Finnish artist as a VR experience. W... more In our study we explored how to design a biography of a late Finnish artist as a VR experience. We conducted a development process assisted by user experience (UX) design methods, which increased the process efficiency, and resulted in a research prototype. Through previous research and our development process, we identified components affecting the user experience. These components are: Immersion, Presence, Disorientation, Sense of Control, Pleasantness, Exploration and Simulator Sickness. From our user study with 13 participants, we were able to draw implications that relate to these components. While the set of components could be incomplete or subject to change, shows that further research is necessary for a more comprehensive knowledge of user experience in the field of Virtual reality.

Journal of Media Business Studies, Dec 1, 2013

Abstract There has been much discussion about a shift from general news towards a marketplace of ... more Abstract There has been much discussion about a shift from general news towards a marketplace of niche. We have examined the business models of 69 journalistic online-only startups in 2011–12 in ten countries operating a sustainable niche. We correlate our findings against Chris Anderson’s long-tail Internet model to explore if it can explain the marketplace of niche journalism. We find that the long tail model goes some way to explain the business model of journalistic content creation. However, it does not allow for the complexities around niche that generate revenues around platforms, selling technology or information on a business-tobusiness basis.

This paper discusses the results of the research project 'Privacy and Anonymity on the Net (PRIAN... more This paper discusses the results of the research project 'Privacy and Anonymity on the Net (PRIANO, 2014–2016)', which tries to chart the fate of online privacy in Finland after the Snowden revelations and during the ongoing law-making process. From interviews (n = 17) conducted with Finnish experts, we identified three frames of opinion (national security, business, and fundamental rights) and analysed their values and strategies of justification. I also conducted a survey (n = 1000) on Finns' opinions about online privacy and compared the results with those of similar surveys in the U.S. and Estonia. The survey findings indicated that Finnish internet users still value privacy. Finally, in the conclusive part, I reflect on the empirical results based on the theoretical literature on surveillance capitalism and the fate of social trust and democracy.

Yksityisyyden rajoja piirretään paraikaa uudelleen niin lainsäädännössä, liiketoiminnassa kuin kä... more Yksityisyyden rajoja piirretään paraikaa uudelleen niin lainsäädännössä, liiketoiminnassa kuin käyttäjien arjessakin. Tässä raportissa tarkastellaan sitä, mitä yksityisyydelle on tapahtumassa, miten yksityisyys ymmärretään asiantuntijatasolla ja miten suomalaiset kokevat yksityisyyden toteutuvan digitaalisissa palveluissa. Tutkimuksemme osoittaa, että asiantuntijoiden puheesta on löydettävissä perustavanlaatuisia ristiriitoja koskien yksityisyyden merkitystä. Asiantuntijapuheesta eritellyistä kolmesta argumentaatiokehyksestä kansallisen turvallisuuden säilyttäminen ja erilaisten uhkien torjuminen on osoittautumassa vahvimmaksi tulevan verkkovalvontalain ympärillä käydyssä keskustelussa.

Me kysyimme, mitä mieltä suomalaiset ovat yksityisyyden merkityksestä verkossa. Kyselyn tulokset osoittivat, että verkon käyttäjiä huolettaa se, mitä tietoja heistä kerätään ja mitä tiedoille tapahtuu. Samaan aikaan moni kokee, että digitaalisten palvelujen käyttäjän on pakko suostua tiedon keruuseen. Kyselytutkimuksen tulokset osoittavat selkeästi, että yksityisyys ei ole käynyt tarpeettomaksi, mutta sen toteutumisesta ollaan epävarmoja notkean valvonnan aikakaudella. Raportin lopuksi pohditaan yksityisyyden merkitystä muun muassa sanan- ja ilmaisunvapaudelle sekä suositellaan mediakasvatuksen, verkkoalustojen läpinäkyvyyden ja henkilötiedon hallinnan lisäämistä sekä lainsäädännön selkiyttämistä