Transcript Russia 2

Journalism in the Digital Age
Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia
Andrew Sherry, Senior Vice President , Center for American Progress
Sponsored by U.S. State Department Speakers Bureau
September 2011
Journalism: What is
changing?
1. The business model
From mass market to
many narrow niches
Journalism: What is
changing?
2. The audience
Participation is the expectation
• Rate stories
• Comment
• Break news
• Share
Many more choices for news
• Dozens of television channels
• Millions of websites
Many more delivery channels
Video is the new vernacular
Anyone can publish online
You don’t have to own one of these to be in the news business
All you need is a blog or a
social media account
No technical skills required
Journalism: What is
changing?
3. The definition of who is a journalist
New opportunities
Innovations in online news
Hybrid Models
The trade press changes and prospers
Organizations do their own
media
• Everyone wants their own content
producers
• Some become their own networks
What does not change
The need for good journalism
Journalism’s Role
Informed citizens = stronger democracy
University 101
• Think clearly
• Write clearly
• Think critically
Journalism 101
• Accuracy
• Fairness
• Storytelling
Accuracy Matters
Judith Miller, New York Times
Iraqi Exiles
Defense Department “Hawks”
“Weapons of Mass Destruction”
War in Iraq
Investigative Journalism Matters
Nate Thayer
Community Matters
Helping communities help themselves
Business Matters
Easy Multimedia
Google Maps, geocommons.com
Data-driven graphics
Google Charts, Tableau Software
Ushahidi.com
Photo slideshows with sound
Soundslides.com
Timelines
Timetoast.com, dipity.com, intersect.com
Killer Combination
Journalism Values + New Media Skills
Digital Skills & Resources
• Video
– Apple Final Cut Pro
– iMovie
– Adobe AfterEffects (motion graphics)
• Web Design & Production
– HTML, CSS
– Adobe Photoshop
– Content Management Systems
• Interactive Graphics
– Javascript
– Familiarity with databases
Training resource: lynda.com
Online Communications Strategy
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
What remains the same?
• It’s still about accuracy and fairness
• It’s still about storytelling
• It’s still about being a part of the community
you cover
Questions & Answers
andrewsherry.net
@andysherry
[email protected]
TV and Web are converging
What does not change
You still need a good messenger