Backpack Journalism

Jane Steven’s differences between multimedia and traditional media outlets are where backpack journalism shows the most potential for longevity in our society. Multimedia offers readers a more engaged approach to getting their news and when journalists embrace this “backpacking” they can better inform their readers and create an active environment for discussion. Steven appropriately defines it as a “two-way communications system.” It is indeed a new method of storytelling—one where the readers not only create the news, but have the opportunity to respond to it.

Martha Stone’s apprehensive look into backpack journalism is interesting from an economic standpoint. While it seems like backpack journalism is a cost-effective option of media outlets, I don’t believe it is a legitimate excuse to shrink newsrooms. It shouldn’t be economically beneficial because it will require less reporters; it should be beneficial because it could substantially improve the quality of their product and make it available to a larger audience.

The skepticism of whether “do-it-all” journalists can provide quality work should further encourage them to pursue excellence. Convergence journalism requires a skill set that should run as deep as it runs wide. And although the first article emphasized the excitement and satisfaction of being able to independently produce a multimedia package, not all convergence journalists necessarily resign to independent work. Steven’s scenario about the team of journalists sent out with digital video cameras illustrates that, in the long run, it improves the quality of journalism by increasing the pool from which footage is chosen.