Backpack Optimism

If, as Martha Stone suggests, top-level media management does indeed pursue a more supportive approach to multimedia journalism in the years to come, there is virtually no doubt that backpack journalism will not fall in to the ‘mush of mediocrity’ that many fear it will.

“The problem is, whipping up a satisfying meal of professionally prepared multimedia journalism with a little video, audio, text, photo album, Flash, and with chat moderation a la mode, is a feast few journalists can serve up,” writes Stone.

True enough, but there is a reason – and a remedy – for this. Convergence journalism is a concept that remains in relative infancy and is still in its earliest stages of being molded by its pioneers. As such, we have barely hit the tip of the iceberg for the education and training of multimedia journalists. Once multimedia becomes the focus of journalistic training around the country – as it will have to, given the decreasing reliance on more traditional forms of journalism – journalists around the globe will be reared right from the start to be experts in every area of their field, and they will exceed any and all expectations of mediocrity.

The constant advent of new ideas and advanced technology has enabled human beings to accomplish more than we ever imagined we could. There is no reason to believe that with some innovation and hard work that the same won’t be possible with backpack journalism.