Lots of journalism happenings going on this week! I had my third live shot shift this Tuesday, which was pretty rough to wake up for after a three-day weekend. I left on Friday, and didn’t really have a chance to do any reporting before my shift. My goal is to work toward having some really relevant and substantial information for viewers, even though it’s 4:30 in the morning. I want to show (not just tell) people something useful in each of my live hits. If any of you are watching, let me know how you think that’s going. I’m in the process of learning how to upload all my video directly on my website, so you can see exactly what I mean. Until I figure that out, I’ll post some links. Here’s one from this Tuesday. I covered Obama’s controversial speech to students across the nation: (This is actually my least favorite version, so I’ll get the video up as soon as I can!) After a long nap and some non-journalism work (crazy, I know) I went to campus for our first RTNDA--Radio Television News Directors Association--meeting. It’s a great group of KOMU people that brings in great speakers and plans some really fun trips. I’m already signed up to go see Mike Leonard, an award-winning storyteller and correspondent for NBC. Today I didn’t have any broadcast work planned, other than waking up to see my friend, Christy, do cut-ins during the Today Show. Big surprise though, plans changed and I ended up filling in for one of the 5 o’clock anchors, Sarah Hill. I had a great time, but for some reason I felt a little more uncomfortable than usual. Fortunately, I get to work with great professionals and teachers who gave me some things to work on for next time. Example, interacting with the other anchor as if she were my partner-in-crime instead of my “disgruntled spouse.” I’ll let you know how that goes… Most exciting of all, I found out that I will be working on a really important story this semester for my Advanced Reporting class. Three other reporters and I will collaborate with local attorneys to look into how law enforcement officials handle domestic abuse. I have a weird feeling that this story is really going to mean something. I can’t wait to get started. Until I know more, here’s what/who I’m following (on Twitter, on the web, wherever I come across something interesting) this week: Blaine Gabbert, Mizzou Quaterback Kim English, Mizzou Basketball player OnlineTVJobs
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The more I know the more I don't know. That's how I feel about so much of the world, but most recently I've added the web to that list. So, when I answer the newsroom phone with the title of this entry, the chances that I can actually help with any tech-related issue are slim...at least for now.
I have big hopes for my next four months working the web and learning about it in my 'Advanced Internet Applications' class. The new media world we live in is changing every minute and it has never been more exciting to be a journalist. Ask yourself how you found out about one of the most recent major news stories (Ted Kennedy's death, for just one example)... Newspaper? No. (Sorry to all my news-ed friends) Network news? Doubtful. Cable? Maybe. Online news source? Probably. Twitter/Facebook/social media? Yes! This is assuming that you are on them...if so, you know they are absolutely viral means of communication. It is now common knowledge in the journalism world that the way consumers get news is very different than it used to be...that's why I'm so excited to be working in a newsroom that really gets that, but isn't taking it as the end the free press. As a web editor at KOMU, I will be using Twitter and Facebook and email alerts to communicate and engage with our news audience, which is increasingly beginning to resemble a community of information sharers rather than passive group of consumers. Now knowing that and actually doing something about it are two very different things...that's why I'm excited to be working with real media professionals who are sticking their necks out and creating some really groundbreaking means of communication. A big project I will work on in the coming months, aside from getting acquainted with what it takes to run an online news source, will be to getting to know a few of those 'Media Giraffes.' Yes, it's a pun because they are sticking their necks out. Yes, I wish I would have been the one to come up with it. :) Media Giraffe is actually an established project that finds people who are using new media in never-been-done-before ways. (If you know of anyone who deserves to be recognized, I'd love to hear about it!) The goal is to get to know them, and get thinking about what I can do to make whatever newsroom I happen to be working for, better at communicating with its viewers. As of now I'm still fighting that learning curve, but I love it. Much more to come, e |