Journalism project uses virtual reality to recreate Syrian conflict

A new journalism project uses virtual reality technology to recreate an actual attack that occurred in Aleppo, Syria. Some say this innovation has the potential to change the way we report and consume the news.

Project Syria is a virtual reality demonstration at the University of Southern California's Interactive Media Lab. By wearing a heavy pair of goggles, users are transported to a busy street in Aleppo, Syria during an alarming rocket attack.

It's been called a form of <a data-cke-saved-href="http://www.immersivejournalism.com/" href="http://www.immersivejournalism.com/" target="_blank" "="">Immersive Journalism. As part of our year-long project By Design, we we're taking a look at this emerging technology. Some proponents say it could reshape the way we do journalism.

Another project, Hunger in Los Angeles, uses virtual reality to call attention to the issue of hunger in the United States.

Nonny De La Pena is the creator of Project Syria and Hunger in Los Angeles. She's an Annenberg Fellow at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Art.

Taylor Owen is a professor of digital media and global affairs at UBC and the research director of the Tow Centre for digital journalism at Columbia University.

What are your thoughts on using virtual reality to create or consume news?

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This segment was produced by The Current's Josh Bloch.