Online Journalism

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While looking for an interesting tech blog item this week, I wanted to find something related to the latest chapter in the Briggs text. I thought something on mobile journalism would be appropriate and so I eventually came across a quirky Techcrunch.com article, “I Will Check My Phone at Dinner and You Will Deal with It.” This piece by MG Siegler doesn’t directly deal with journalism, but it does provide evidence of the importance of mobile journalism.

Siegler opines that checking one’s cell phone at a restaurant has not only become the norm, but it may actually be more awkward for younger generations to not engage in the practice. If people are even interrupting meals to check their phones, clearly mobile journalism is of interest to people.

Personally, I really hate phones. They’re my least favorite method of communication. I have a cell phone of course, but more out of necessity than an actual desire to text and be reached at any given point. It goes to show how technology is no longer an option these days (though I’m serious, there are times when the only thing keeping me from running over my cell phone is that I don’t want to damage my tires). And of course, now it’s becoming socially acceptable to tweet the restaurant you’re at.

However, a Zagat survey says that cell phones at the dinner table leave a bad taste in the mouths of most Americans, though some even upload pictures of their meals to Facebook.

There’s always an upside–namely, mobile food critics can post instant food and service reviews. Bon appetit!

Mobile journalism was the main subject of this chapter.

Smartphones have become a helpful tool for many journalists.

• News organizations are tapping into mobile journalism to compliment their news, especially during a breaking news story.
• A couple questions to keep in mind include:

1. Will the audience benefit if we can take them there?
2. Will the journalism be better if it’s done on location and with urgency?
3. Can this event be effectively communicated in small chunks over time?
4. Will sound reporting or video footage, turned around quickly, help people understand the story?

• Criminal and civil trials, breaking news of all types, public gathering, sporting events and grand openings are great places to use mobile journalism.
• There are two types of mobile reporters: gearheads and light packers.
• Gearheads use all the equipment available such as a laptop, tripod, audio recorder, etc. when they’re in the field (which is nearly 24/7).
• Light packers aren’t in the field as often and only need their smartphone with a camera, keypad and mobile internet.
• Mobile journalism publishing options include:

1. Twitter
2. FriendFeed
3. Blogs and services like CoveritLive
4. Qik, Kyte and Flixwagon (all mobile video services)
5.  Your audiences’ publishing capabilities

Click here to view the embedded video.

Libya protests caught on amateur video World news guardian.co.uk.

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According to Briggs, all traditional journalists need to get their “mojo” (mobile journalist) on is a smartphone with the following: 

• A camera with a flash and video mode
• A full QWERTY keypad
• Mobile Internet capability with full-featured e-mail

A gearhead who reports from the field every day needs compact versions of the following items that fit into one backpack: 

• Small laptop or netbook                                                                                   
• Internet connection:  a mobile Internet card is best option 
• Camera: point-and-shoot with video                                                               
• Video camera
• Tripod: compact that folds and stores in a small space
• Audio recorder: digital; records to memory card or interfaces with your laptop
• Headphones: folding portable models that cover your ears
• Microphone: durable with some type of windscreen
• Cell phone to make calls

Cell phones have created a whole new field of journalism: mobile reporting

For mobile reporting the deadline is always right now 

Mobile technology is emerging as a powerful means for publishing multimedia to mobile audiences 

Journalists are experimenting with using audiences for mobile crowdsourcing 

Mobile journalism can be an important complement to news reporting, especially in breaking news situations 

Bottom line:  

• Keep it simple:  don’t lug more equipment than you need
• Be prepared: don’t try to use a new device in the field before you’ve practiced and gotten comfortable with it

Kinds of assignments to report and publish from the field: 

• Criminal and civil trials
• Important speeches or announcments
• Breaking news events
• Public gatherings
• Sporting events
• Grand openings of popular consumer destinations

Some ways journalists have gone mobile: 

• Mobile microblogging:  via Twitter or FriendFeed or Facebook’s status updates
• Live blogging:  done with standard blogging software or with an add-on service like CoveritLive
• Mobile video: use Qik, Kyte and Flixwagon to stream video live from anywhere on a cell phone without an Internet connection; only works on phones that can shoot video
• Mobile Multimedia

              1. Text is critical and easiest to publish 

              2. Photos and video crucial, especially in situations where no TV coverage   

                  or other visual is available 

              3. Photos and video only need to be “good enough”; powerful because of  

                  relevance, not because of editing and composition  

• GPS possibly the next game-changing technology for journalism

              1. News, information and advertising could be served to you depending on  

                  your location — no need to search 

              2. Will change how people contribute information — will be able to quickly

                  and easily publish to Web sites that organize content geographically 

• Portability and small size of smartphones are less intimidating and will change relationship between reporters and interviewee

• You don’t need the resources of a big news company to connect with a mobile audience             

Last week, I asked my father, who has spent a good portion of his life in Libya (my two brothers were born there), if he thought that a Libyan revolution was possible.

His response? Never in a million years.

A few days later, a new revolution was born.

The social media revolution

It is a remarkable thing when the oppressed stand up for their basic human rights. But what is more remarkable is the effect technology, particularly social media has played in this new turn of events.

As the protests move into Northern Africa, particularly Libya and Morocco, we begin to see the government crackdown on websites like Twitter and Facebook. These websites have been the main basis for these protest movements to gather support and rally for their freedom. Using the hashtag #feb20, these protesters are doing their best to sneak around their oppressors.

Who would have ever thought?

To read more on the Libyan and Moroccan social media revolution, click here.

Happy reading.

The evolution of cell phones have raised the bar on reporting. Now that phones can capture quality videos, photos and audio files, readers don’t have to wait for first hand coverage. A reporter can rush to the scene and capture everything on his or her mobile device without having to wait for the camera crew to appear.

• Mobile reporting is a whole new field of journalism where the reporter does it all: write, update and transmit photos and videos directly to their audience. Mobile reporters don’t have to work for JUST print, online, radio or TV, they can work in all mediums because they can update from anywhere and whenever they want. Increasingly, news footage is coming form citizens who were on the scene by coincidence and picked up their phone.

*The only technical gadget necessary to be a mobile journalist is a mobile device that connects to the Internet and allows you to publish texts, videos and pictures. You don’t need a hikers backpack full of equipment to haul around from place to place, just an iPhone or a Blackberry.

• Deciding on whether to go “mobile” on a news story can be difficult. Here are some places that Briggs suggest you take the cellular plunge:

1. Breaking news, such as fires, shootouts, auto accidents, plane crashes etc.
2. Important speeches or announcements by prominent figures
3. Sporting events
4. Protests/Political rallies/parades
5. Criminal and Civil trials

• Mobile microblogging: Microblogging is still being held up by many cell phone holding hands, with Twitter being the dominant Web site. Many journalists use microblogging as a way of taking notes, say during a sports game, Tweets bring up to the minute plays that a reporter can later go back and consult for an article.