From M/Cyclopedia of New Media
MaryCampbell 09:05, 9 Sep 2004 (EST)
== The Multi-Skilled Journalist ==
Electronic Journalism
- Technical advances have worked to redefine the role of the modern journalist. As media technologies continue to become more accessible, affordable and easier to use, journalists are increasingly required to undertake more of the technical functions of reporting. The rise in new media technologies has seen with it the birth of the multi-skilled journalist. This has resulted in the development of the terms ‘Video-Journalist’ and ‘Photo-Journalist’ (Alysen et al, 2003: 225).
The Video-Journalist
- Video-Journalism involves broadcast journalists operating cameras, shooting pictures and visuals for their reports (Alysen et al, 2003: 225). In addition to their traditional duties, the reporter becomes the camera operator, sound operator, director, production assistant, producer and if need be the editor (Griffiths, 1998: 1).
- The implementation of such journalists offers broadcast networks a practical, more affordable alternative to the conventional reporter and camera crew team. Advancements in media technologies means most
Video-Journalists work with compact cameras and often edit stories together using desktop software.
- The term ‘Video-Journalist’ originated in 1994 in the United Kingdom, when London’s Channel One cable channel placed an ad for 24 ‘Video-Journalists’ in The Guardian newspaper, in the hope of producing refined news at a relatively low cost (Boyd, 2002: 383).
- Since then, Video-Journalists have become an increasingly popular choice for news networks worldwide. Major news organisations including the BBC and ITN today recruit Video-Journalists for their practical services (Boyd, 2002: 384).
- The role and value of the Video-Journalist has also been recognised in Australian newsrooms. In 1999 The Sydney Morning Herald appointed a Video-Journalist to provide innovative video reports for its online news website. By 2001 many Australian regional and metropolitan networks had implemented moves to encourage and recruit Video-Journalists (Alysen et al, 2003: 226).
The Photo-Journalist
- Photo-Journalists are common place within Australia’s regional and suburban print publications. As a result it is a great advantage for reporters to be acquainted with the basics of photography and camera operation (Alysen et al, 2003: 225).
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
- A growing trend in Australian newsrooms, many journalists may now work for more than one section of the media. Broadcast journalists working for large networks with both radio and television newsrooms are increasingly required to submit both television and radio stories and print journalists are often required to submit articles to the online version of their newspaper.
- Between 2000 and 2002 the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) combined its radio and television newsrooms into one ‘co-location’. Consequently, ABC reporters may be assigned to either radio or television reports or may be required to produce the same story for both mediums (Alysen et al, 2003: 226).
- ABC radio copy (the text of the radio news reports) is also transferred to the online newsroom after broadcasting. These radio reports then form the basis of the online versions of those reports (Alysen et al, 2003: 226). As a result, ABC broadcast journalists are now forced to pay attention to grammar and spelling considerations. These journalists are also now conducting more comprehensive interviews, with online stories in mind, as opposed to the traditional broadcast interview which was primarily focused on getting two or three audio or visual grabs (Alysen et al, 2003: 226).
Go back to Digital Journalism
MaryCampbell 14:21, 25 Oct 2004 (EST)
Related Wiki Entries
Bibliography
- Alysen, B., Oakham, M., Patching, R. and Sedorkin, G. (2003). Reporting in a Multimedia World, Sydney: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1865089109
- Boyd, A. (2002). Broadcast Journalism: Techniques of Radio and Television News, Oxford: Focal Press. ISBN 0240515714
- Griffiths, R. (1998) Videojournalism, Oxford: Reef Educational and Professional Publishing. ISBN 0240515080
MaryCampbell 14:21, 25 Oct 2004 (EST)
