Journalism Reinvented

January 11, 2010

by Talia Whyte

Kai Wright on Digital Journalism

The new digital frontier has forced many black journalists to step up their game. Gone are the days of such titles as broadcast or print journalists. In today’s media climate, everyone is a multimedia journalist. Whether it is through blogging, building photo slide shows or tweeting the day’s news, there are many opportunities to flourish in the changing journalism landscape, while building professional branding. Most importantly, as Kai Wright said in the video, it is not an option anymore for journalists to be entrepreneurial with their online tools, it’s a requirement.

Despite these changes, many traditional journalists are worried about the some of the challenges that come with online media, such as news being fair and accurate due to the pressure of getting news out quickly, which compromises journalistic integrity. A recent article by Journalism.co.uk argues that while it is important to stay abreast of technology skills, “core journalistic skills are still crucial,” because “if you are unable to tell a story in an accurate and compelling way, no one will want to consume your content.”

Another challenge many journalists face is the training that goes into acquiring multimedia skills. The good thing about using online tools is that one doesn’t have to go back to school to learn how to use them. Any journalist at any stage in their career can master the basics and enhance their skills from practice. In addition, journalists can develop their skills at professional conferences and online training webinars, as well as joining networks for multimedia journalists.

For the last 10 years, I have worked as a freelance print journalist, and now I have found that I have to reinvent myself. I was an early adapter to online journalism; I have been blogging for over six years, and Twitter has recently become my new best friend. This summer I started writing for the new African American-centered online news site TheGrio.com. But I never thought in a million years I would have to shoot and edit video for work, but for the last year I have been doing it with little chagrin.

I am still in the “trial and error” process, but I am having fun with my self training, mostly from watching other online videos and playing with my video editing system. My digital efforts have paid off so far. In addition to vlogging (a form of blogging using primarily video) for WGBH, the PBS affiliate in Boston, I was also hired recently to do short video interviews with authors at my local black bookstore, Jamaicaway Books & Gifts. So, yes, I guess you can say I am an entrepreneurial journalist taking advantage of the new online frontier.