Reporting in the digital age

@HollyEdgellSt. Louis Society of Professional JournalistsCollege Journalism Boot CampWebster University, 9/21/13

“After all, despite all the dire news about the state of the newspaper industry, we are in something of a golden age of journalism for news consumers. There’s no shortage of great journalism being done, and

there’s no shortage of people hungering for it.

-Arianna Huffington

Another word about the digital age“The students of today actually are going to create the journalism and mass communication of tomorrow. You aren’t stuck in formats created a century ago. You get to build the new companies and the new products and the new standards of the digital age….  New tools create opportunities to make new rules.”

>>>> Eric Newton, senior adviser to the president at Knight Foundation

NEW TOOLS

Random thoughts My motto > “Journalism is about people” My other motto > “Have a multimedia state of mind” So, what’s the story?

Purpose or mission Is there a news hook?

Cultivate curiosity Storytelling vs. reporting Tools

Techniques, tools, platforms

PEOPLE

2 guys and a tweet

SHOW & TELL

So What’s the Story? What are you trying to convey?

Information, humor, emotional impact 5 categories to consider

People Process Place Event Trends & Data

JUST START

Don’t be fooled: It’s always about PEOPLE Who is affected, has been affected or

will be affected? Know your audience

Campus population v. wider community

HUMAN FACTOR

Basic sources: human Most news organizations will want at

least two real live sources; i.e. people THREE is even better1. Central Compelling Character(s)

> victim, patient, stakeholder, profile subject, outraged individual

2. Perspective person; expert3. Observers, opinions

WHAT THE STAKE?

So how do you find people? Web search Read about it Social media Go there

Site visits Person on the street

Ask somebody Look around you; who do you know?TIP: Ask SPJ! Find the local pro chapter

BE A SEEKER

Basic sources: Information Other media Previous/archived stories Web sites

Government Business Institutions Advocates Blogs and social media

BE A RESEARCHER

Getting interviews The media relations or PR person can be

your friend, or at least open the door Large corporations, businesses Government (all levels) Political organizations, parties Non-profits Institutions; e.g. campus, houses of worship

TIP: If there’s no designated media person, ask “Who deals with inquiries from the media?”

KNOW WHEN TO…

Getting them to talk Start with a phone call Try email and social media

Should you email your questions? Go there

TIP > Keep a file/notes on source contact info. You may need to talk to someone again.

A FOOT IN THE DOOR

When they won’t talk Don’t be shy about reporting when

officials or other sources won’t respond or won’t talk

Off the record or on background Anonymity > Ask why?TIP: Power of persuasion?“We really want your perspective.”“We’re going to run this story regardless, but we’d would prefer to include you rather than use a ‘no comment.’”TIP: Ask SPJ! Find the local pro chapter

PSYCHOLOGY

Examples Duck in a truck Economy in a box Doing Business with the DNC The Swing State Story Nuns on the bus Sarah Palin in St. Charles Navigating the City Inside Haiti

BOOKMARK THESE

Holly’s favorite tools & techniques

Curation Walgreens & Express Scripts Condi at the convention

Q&A interview Politics past & present

Storify Twitter for live events

NEW TOOLS

Holly’s favorite source resources SheSource.org SPJ Journalists Toolbox

Expert Sources Diversity issues

Women in Media & News (WIMN) The POWER Sources Project

BOOKMARK THESE

Twitter > @HollyEdgell me@hollyedgell.com www.linkedin.com/in/hollyedgell https://www.facebook.com/holly.edgell http://www.slideshare.net/hollyedgell Blog > http://hollyedgell.wordpress.com

Let’s connect!

SOCIALIZING