Backpack Journalism

I have to say that I think journalism is heading in the do it all direction. This is why I chose to do convergence. I wanted to have the skills that can help me excel in many situations. While I see the argument that we can't always do everything on our own, it doesn't hurt to aqcuire the skills to do so. I do feel like most people are looking to the internet for their news because you get a little bit of everything (audio, video, pictures and text). I also like the point that multimedia reporting offers an interactive arena for the consumer. They can choose whether they want to watch a video or read the story all in one place. They get many different views all in one location. I think converged media is more efficent for the user. I agree that we are moving into the years where you have to know computer skills and the more you know the better!

Journalism for a Consumer Culture

As I was reading "Backpack Journalism Is Here to Stay" I couldn't help but see a strong correlation between the media and the very powerful consumer culture we live in. Journalists are using their individual skills in collaboration with colleagues in order to cater to the needs of the individual reader. Our field is being tailored to fit the demands of an audience with increasingly specific requirements and preferences. We are learning how to be relevant in the lives of consumers who expect immediate, accurate and readily accessible results. By converting to a multimedia way of storytelling, journalists are allowing the public to interact with their news.

As discussed in the reading, we must present a complete package of current and past information in various forms. The synthesis of information from different news stations, as is prevalent now, seems to be changing as time progresses and more people are emerging with formal training in media convergence. What we must keep focus on is that specialization is not, and probably will never be, obsolete. There will always be a need for well-trained individuals with specific fortes who can contribute to any number of projects. To be accurate in presenting information, certain qualities will always be necessary and is important to remember to not get lost in the montage of gathering numerous surface level skills.

Backpack Journalism

Obviously, my decision to pursue a major in convergence lends to my opinion on the future of our industry. It wouldn't be wise for me to buy into this shift in journalistic practice if I didn't believe it was in fact, here to stay for a while! And I'd like to think I'm a wise person so I agree with a lot of what Jane Stevens argues in her article. One of the greatest attributes of a "multimedia" journalist is his ability to embed himself into stories and situations where he will find compelling stories to tell. We see this everyday in the coverage of war and conflicts, in the aftermath of natural disasters and in other breaking news events when on the scene reporting grabs the greatest number of viewers. As Stevens says, "Two of multimedia's most important characteristics are context and continuity, characteristics that television and print don't have to multimedia's degree." The convergence reporter and producer both know how to work in teams in retrieving the news content, and it is the job of the backpack journalists to deliver the best possible selection of material to the consumer.

Backpack Journalism

I think convergence journalism can be accomplished in two ways: either a few sensationally talented people will create the bulk of the stories, or journalists will work in groups. In “Backpack Journalism is a Mush of Mediocrity,” Martha Stone mentioned journalists’ individualistic nature, so maybe the latter is unlikely. But if overcoming our characteristic introversion means producing the better stories, isn’t it worth a shot?

Yes, it’s difficult for one person to juggle three or four different materials while covering an event. That’s where the group dynamic makes a difference. Jane Stevens’ ideas about producer- and reporter-driven stories rely on a group of talented jouranlists. The story they produce together will be more cohesive, more readable, more interesting, and more accurate if each one understands in some detail the intricacies of what the others are doing.

The demand for converged reporting is there. Meeting it might require journalists to leave their comfort zones, but the result has enough potential to merit that effort.

The ups and downs of backpackin'

In my opinion, it is really upsetting to say people are unable to produce quality news using only their own brains and equiptment. Even if not every journalist can, that's not to say that there aren't enough journalists who can to consider backpack journalism, or convergence, a worthwhile or legitimate job. Not everyone could be a doctor. Not everyone could be a convergence journalist. But we still need doctors. Right?

I liked the North Carolina hurricane example. I think its invaluable to give readers as much as possible as soon as possible. Getting to the core of a news story...to initially say as much as we know about what happened. I think this exemplifies our true objectives as journalists.

Whats most important

I see both sides of the argument. I realize that not developing your skills in one area and devoting your time to it, and only it, does make your work more mediocre. I agree that you cannot understand all the forms of journalism as well as someone that devoted themselves to one specific area. But, I think there are reasons that convergence journalists will take over this industry. Journalism is about bringing the news to the people in the best way possible. Timeliness is just as important, if not more, as writing skills for a newspaper or magazine guy or gal. And giving the reader/viewer the most information possible, which only a “Backpack Journalist” can do, is probably the most important. Having a camera there and writing a story while posting a video and slide show, I believe, is more important.

Backpack

I thought that Martha Stone brought up an interesting point in her article about backpack journalism being a "mush of mediocrity." There was a quote in this article about the fact that sending more people into the field to cover a story would create a package of much better quality than if you were to send a single reporter. While this concept does make sense, I feel that backpack journalists are being taught to compensate for their lack of manpower when in the field. Their training should include how to get the best, most efficient and unique angle of a story.

Also, I did like how Jane Stevens credited some of her best work to her producers and editors. Because while backpack journalism does only have one reporter, there are often still producers and editors along the way to check the work. That's why I don't agree with Stone's comments about convergence reporters not creating well thought out or executed stories. There are always others along the way to assist with the story.