Margaret’s 3rd year journalism blog

New tools for reporting: Storybuilding

The online world makes it easier for journalists to continue storybuilding when news develops throughout the day, week or months following. Essentially the internet enables reporters to add media such as video, audio interviews and even photo galleries of citizen generated images extremely quickly.

For example, the Hurricane Gustav story in today’s news is being regularly updated as such; starting with information on the possibility of interrupting the Republican convention as it approaches, the growing strength of the hurricane, the Governor warning about its consequences and then news of when it hits (along with video and images). There is no doubt this will continue to grow with stories of the aftermath.

One can also use the example of the Melbourne terror trial that went on for around 6 months, where the ABC and most of the commercial networks ‘built’ on previous reportings; i.e. the raids, new evidence, jury deliberations, and then the verdict once it is announced.

Aiming to uphold immediacy, journalists often send photos via their mobile or file their audio stories over the phone. Podcasting and videocasting can also be taken via ipods, mobile phones and small digital cameras and sent quickly to the newsroom.

Now RSS, ‘really simple syndication’ makes its extremely simple for journalists to quickly update their pages and send news out to its readers. Updates are usually brief and new software enables internet users to pull the headlines from favourite online writers and news sources so that they don’t have to filter through the overwhelming abundance of online information.

Gathering information from the online platform raises concerns about quality and credibility of information. Clearly, one has to consider the source of publication, the message being conveyed and the likelihood of the information being accurate. Journalists need to be wary that many pages -some obviously and some not so obviously- are created for marketing purposes. Also, when gathering information from a corporation’s website; for example on profits, we need to read between the lines and ensure information is not being covered up.