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“The best journalists are embracing technology and a more open approach to gathering and presenting information.”
“This chapter…[is] about how to harness a wide array of digital tools and knock down barriers, to bring journalists closer to readers and readers closer to journalism.”
Concept of journalism as a conversation
“Collaborations with readers are a permanent part of the media landscape.”
New reporting methods:
- Crowdsourcing (distributed reporting): can ask hundreds, or even thousands of people in a community to lend a hand with an investigation or data collection; reporting based on the work of many people, including your readers; the animating idea – readers know more than we do
- Open-source reporting: using transparency in reporting; started with reader networks; journalists increase their credibility and social capital; way for news organizations to build brand loyalty; news organization goes public with most story ideas early in the reporting process and invites readers to help report the story
- Pro-am journalism: DIY (do-it-yourself) journalism; allows audience to publish directly to the same platform, or Web site, that professional journalists use to publish their news; premise – “no news organization can be everywhere all the time”
- Beatblogging: builds a social network around a traditional reporting beat and brings the stakeholders together; leads a discussion to see what they say to one another; by “listening” to an informed conversation among loyal readers a reporter can discover new angles and story tips; “Rolodex 2.0” – greatly expands the number of available sources a beat reporter has access to; great way to find out what people are thinking because users can interact with each other, share links and debate topics
Link journalism: taps the power of the Web; builds readership; brings readers back; provides a fuller picture of the news than one news source can supply
“Do what you do best and link to the rest”
Anyone can collect links, but it takes trained editors to select and collect the best information and build a loyal audience.
“Online journalism is about continually finding better ways to inform, engage and harness the people formerly known as the audience.”
Must add value to the information by providing analysis and context
Must prove we value readers as equals by demonstrating an eagerness to interact on a personal level
Must acknowledge that some readers are smarter and better informed than us in ways that can add value to what we do
Print, especially localized print editions, can be a powerful tool:
- Power to validate shared experiences and strengthen community connections
- Lure of publication and friendly competition helps motivate contributors
- Can learn something about a community if you pay attention to what kind of news people are submitting and what people are reading online
NOTE: Technology is swiftly changing journalism. Openness and transparency are encouraged. Journalism is seen as a conversation and a collaboration with all members of the community — even news competitors. Readers are no longer just “the audience,” they are also sources and reporters whose contributions are valued and appreciated. There are times when we all do better with a little help from our friends.
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