Abstract:
Mobile phone-based smartphone today is a telecommunications device that has a huge impact and influence. As with any BlackBerry smartphone that can be used as a means of doing the job, including in the field of journalism. This study aims to find out how the role of BlackBerry smartphone in the activity of journalists and investigate the factors supporting and constraint the use of BlackBerry smartphone. This research uses a qualitative methods with a descriptive approach. The research was conducted at Tribun Pekanbaru, H. Imam Munandar street 383th Pekanbaru. Subject of the research is all informant needs of this research, and for the key informants is Chief Editor of Tribun Pekanbaru through purposive sampling, and the object of research is roles of BlackBerry smartphone in journalist activities. Techniques to collect the data for this research is using depth observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of this research show that the role of BlackBerry smartphone in the activity of journalists at Tribun Pekanbaru are as a means of coordinating the editorial team, as a means to access and obtain information, as a means to type and send messages, as a means to take a picture, and as a means for effectiveness and efficiency. Factors supporting BlackBerry smartphone in the activity of journalists are a physical keyboard on a BlackBerry smartphone, facility of BlackBerry Messenger and Push E-mail, BlackBerry smartphone fit in the hand, the number of users of BlackBerry Messenger, and mobile operator competition. Constraint of BlackBerry smartphone in journalist activity that quickly drains the battery, less good camera quality, network problems, and less comfortable vision when using the BlackBerry smartphone for long time.
