Journalism Today
Chapter 1
“Reporting for the Media” Text
Writing for the Mass Media Class
Technology Drives Changes
New technologies require that news
organizations develop new ways of
providing information to audiences
 Digital journalism and convergence are
key issues in today’s news industry
 New job descriptions today reflect trend:
backpack journalists, sojos (solo
journalists) and mojos (mobile journalists)

Today’s Multimedia Journalists
Journalists must continue to be experts in
reporting and writing news and do so
with passion, accuracy and authority
 But today they are also equipped with the
digital and video cameras so their stories
can be shared across media platforms:
print, television, Internet, blogs, podcasts

Traditional Media Must Adapt
As we (the public) use the Internet more
and more, we take control of how, when
and what news we access.
 Only 20 short years ago, news consumers
were at the mercy of traditional news
organizations– people had to wait until the
paper was delivered or until the TV and
radio news programs were broadcast

The Changing Media Model
Now the traditional media must adapt to avoid
becoming irrelevant
 Media managers are making earnest
investments to become successful in digital
journalism
 Today, Internet revenues are growing and
media managers are striving to become
successful news providers online
 Digital journalism is regarded less as a
competitor and more as an important
component bringing in revenue and audiences

Media “Convergence”






This is the concept and practice of one media owner
bringing together its different news organizations under
one umbrella to share personnel and equipment
Media General’s Tampa, Fla. operation is often cited
In 2000 MG built a $40 million News Center that houses
the staffs of the Tampa Tribune, WFLA-TV and TBO.com
The first floor has a TV studio, the second floor a joint
newspaper/TV newsroom
Editors from each medium attend the same planning
meetings, discuss story coverage and consider which
medium is most effective for the story
Often the story is told “across platforms” in the different
media. See: http://www2.tbo.com/home/
Convergence Pros and Cons



Sharing sources enables
news organizations to
cover stories more in
depth
Less competing for
“scoops” will mean
reporting that is more
accurate, thorough,
comprehensive
Local issues will be better
covered



But critics say
convergence leads to less
diversity in stories and
content
Less competition can
mean less striving for
excellence and a larger
audience share
Wasted time and space
advertising and
promoting each other and
referring audiences to
allied newspapers or TV
stations for more info
Growth of Citizen Journalism





As news organizations increase their use of the
Web, they have begun to invite readers and
viewers to participate in creating content
Some editors rely on citizens’ participation
(called “crowd sourcing” or “user-generated
content”) to augment the work of their limited
numbers of reporters and photographers
With more participation and coverage,
journalists and citizens feel more connected to
the community and each other
Post and Courier’s Shared Photos
Micro News Sites: Patch.com
Training
st
21
Century Journalists
Journalism and communication schools are
taking different approaches
 Many offer core courses that drill the
fundamentals of news judgment and gathering,
writing and organizing information in one type of
medium, usually print
 The idea is that once students understand the
basic of good reporting skills, they can adapt to
other media with added training in the different
equipment and technology

Other Approaches
On the other hand, some schools immediately
introduce their students to the presentation of
news on a variety of platforms.
 Students are taught how to operate audio
equipment, digital cameras, video cameras and
computer software for different types of online
presentations.
 Assignments may consist of adapting the same
story to print, audio, voice-over slide shows,
video packages, standups, online and
multimedia combined

Becoming a Digital Journalist

Needed, according to a survey of 450
online managers and producers, are:
– News judgment and knowledge of grammar
and style (for story writing and editing)
– Ability to report and write original stories and
edit photos (for content creation)
– Attention to detail, have good communication
skills, multitask and have an awareness or
ability to learn new technologies (overall skills
and attitude)