Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Introduction to Convergent Journalism

What is a multiskilled journalist?

The term multiskilled journalist describes reporters skilled at two or more of these tasks: interviewing; collecting audio, video, and still images; editing those images; producing interactive elements (such as graphics and online-accessible databases); and writing stories for delivery across multiple media.

A multiskilled journalist should know writing and editing across media, interviewing, photography, video creation and editing, public speaking, creating simple graphics, and creating interactive elements and should have some technical knowledge of how to use wired or wireless networking to port or send material remotely.

However, the most important role of the journalist in a converged environment is still to be able to look at a situation and determine what elements are needed for the various ways that media might be used to disseminate the story.

The perspective of the multiskilled journalist is vital for being able to look at all the possible forms a story may take and how each would best be disseminated. In practice, that means the ability to identify all of the elements of a story , including interview sources, photographic subjects, video or audio opportunities, documentary sources, etc.

The next skill is the ability to tell the story in the appropriate format, ranging from an inverted pyramid for newspapers or Web text to a linear broadcast narrative. Writing across media may be one of the most difficult skills to master, but the task is made easier by the presence of story builders, editors, and others who can help refine the story for presentation.

Multiskilled journalists must also have the skills to capture still and video images as well as sound. Each reporter need not be an authority on photography and other technical skills, but in the absence of a photographer, videographer, or audio engineer, the multiskilled journalist must be capable of capturing the images and sounds that will help tell the story.

Jack of all trades, master of none.

Very few journalists are considered masters of all, but each person has a set of skills he or she is better at than others. But journalists need to make sure to practice each of the skills discussed to be able to do the job comfortably.

1 comment:

Dr. Spaulding said...

Exactly, Rebin. A multiskilled journalist is a jack of all trades. This is especially important as media companies pare down staff and move online.