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Multimedia and ConvergenceOnline Journalism Presentation17/04/2009

+Multimedia and Convergence

Patrick Kavanagh – Chairperson

Maríosa Molloy - Thurman, N. & Lupton, B. 2008, "Convergence Calls: Multimedia Storytelling at British News Websites", Convergence, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 439-455.

Sean Carroll - Martyn, P.H. 2009, "THE MOJO IN THE THIRD MILLENNIUM", Journalism Practice, vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 196.

Shaun Dunne - Friend and Singer, Ch. 8: (cross-platform journalism)

+What is media convergence?

“phenomenon involving the interlocking of computing and information technology companies, telecommunications networks, and content providers from the publishing worlds of newspapers, magazines, music, radio, television, films, and entertainment software. Media convergence brings together the “three Cs”—

computing, communications, and content.”

- Britannica Online Encyclopedia

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Cross-platform JournalismFriend and Singer Shaun Dunne

+Introduction

Reading deals with pros and cons of convergence of television, print and interactivity

The effect it has on journalists

“I believe that it is going to distract journalists, journalism teachers and students away from that single most important imperative of the craft – to create an informed society capable of intelligently governing itself.”

- Robert Haiman

+It is important to “establish a delicate balance between finding your own voice as a journalist and engaging with active users in their dialogue.”

Mark Deuze

+The challenges ahead

Shift from writing to editing will prove to be a big ethical challenge

Television, print and online journalism each have their own culture

They should be unified, despite differences in approach, by objectivity and public service

+Salary Problems for Journalists

Payrise?

Unemployed?

Salaries are not being increased for the amount of extra work going on

Exploitation goes on everywhere but is self-defeating – Mark Deuze

Change should be made that ensures additional work that comes with convergence is dealt with respectfully

+"Convergence Calls: Multimedia Storytelling at British News Websites”Thurman, N. & Lupton, B.Maríosa Molloy

+Convergence Calls: Multimedia Storytelling at British News Websites

9 editors from different online news sites about the use of multimedia within online news sites.

General consensus - multimedia has a huge influence on the online sites today.

The Guardian invested 15 million pounds so their websites could ‘play videos off the page.’

+Is video use central to online publishing?

“I don’t think we should pretend it’s the first point of all our stories. The core of what we do is content.”

- Anne SpackmanEditor, The Times Online

+Necessity of Video on News Sites

The Times – no flash video box embedded on the homepage of the website, link to video content in the tool bar at the top of the page

Sky News - video box on the homepage with stories available in a column down the right hand side

12 online news sites – all had links to video news

Sites consider video stories necessary for online news sites

+The Core Skills of a Journalist

Being able to write quickly, clearly and accurately.

Being able to spell and having excellent grammar,

Being able to write snappy headlines

Possessing the ability to spot a strong story.

Nowadays, are they enough?

+Do journalists need to be ‘all rounders’?

“If you want a video journalist you probably ought to hire one.”

Footage can be taken on phones opportunity for viewers to send in their experiences – Steve Purcell from The Mirror

Uploading of videos by all citizens undermine the position of journalists in society

+Does the addition of multimedia to text stories make them better?

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The Mojo in the Third MillenniumP.H. MartynSean Carroll

+The changing face of journalism

Journalism is moving towards a more multimedia based means of transmitting information.

Journalists are expected to be proficient with filming, editing, photography and internet publication.

+New breeds of journalist

“Mojo” – Mobile Journalist

“Sojo” – Solo Journalist

Independent journalists doing the job of a whole news team

+“The mobile journalist concept has been embraced by management at many newspapers trying to keep their corporations profitable in an era of increasingly fractured and declining audiences”.

P.H. Martyn

+The advantages of Mojos and Sojos

Cheaper then sending out entire news crews

Can cover a greater amount of news then their traditional counterparts

Mojos may increase news readership among a younger demographic

Sojos can report live, upload copy virtually instantaneously and almost cover the world in real time

+“Sojos have had a devastating impact on the immediacy and depth of television and web coverage … News junkies across the globe have responded … by tripling the traffic to key websites. In some cases, such as CNN, traffic has leapt tenfold”. Mark Hollands

The Australian

+Speed over depth?

1991 Gulf War – television the accepted medium for breaking new

Newspapers respond by adding graphics, maps and “explainers” to their product

Reporters on the field filed copy on what they witnessed, editors added context at home

Today the emphasis is on speed of information rather than depth

Contextualisation of news is not always carried out

+Pros and cons of high speed technologies

Make it possible to deliver information in record time

Reduce the amount of time available for the working journalist to think, reflect, evaluate, shape, craft and contextualize the news

+The threat of Mojos and Sojos to Traditional Media

Critical role of the media could be under threat as journalists increasingly simply relay the line of self-interested parties

Gatekeeper role of the media under threat from mojo and sojo journalists

Solo video journalists today – preoccupied with camera angles and technicalities rather than critical facts?

+Combining media creates a better package

Website run by journalist Kevin Sites – good example

Multifaceted story telling coming together to create a completely immersive package.

Where one media falters, another will balance it

+The impact for local news

Hyper-local news - constant updating of news on the internet in local areas by journalists

Often done by citizen journalists and bloggers

Succeeds where newspapers fail: keeping people aware of local news at all times

Community members with specialized skills can contribute

A great advance in investigative journalism or a loss of respect for the industry?

+“These technologies ought to be employed by experienced journalists and media managers should ensure that the traditional gatekeeper roles not be bypassed.”

Martyn

+In conclusion…

Technology is simply a means for journalists to do what they have always done only better

Critical analysis should not be sacrificed in favour of speed

Finding balance between the increase in the need casting a critical eye over those in power is journalism’s next big challenge.

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Now what do you think?

Thank you