Good M orning again! M CS1250 Introduction to Journalism October - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Good M orning again!

M CS1250 Introduction to Journalism

October 2016, Ulrich Werner, Adj. Prof. (IIS-RU)

What’s on the M enu for today?

1. Our changing journalism world 2. Publishing – on your terms 3. Freelancing in journalism 4. Where is journalism headed?

Our changing journalism world

Our changing journalism world

• Change is inevitable
• Journalists generally prefer change over the status

quo – Arab Spring, Fukushima, Coup in Thailand

• The world of journalism changes as well – often

faster than appreciated: Journalists and news

• rganizations must adapt as fast as possible to

survive

Our changing journalism world

• T

echnology

• Economics
• Political climate
• Professional training
• Ethical standards
• Advertising
• Local cultural, traditional, and historical values

Our changing journalism world

Cr.: Michigan State University

Our changing journalism world

• Advancements in transportation technologies

allowed to reach vast audiences, even in most remote villages

• Content have made it easier for content producers

– T

• fabricate and distort material

– Disseminate false and incorrect information – M anipulate photos – Plagerize, and so on.

Our changing journalism world

• T

echnology

• Economics
• Political climate
• Professional training
• Ethical standards
• Advertising
• Local cultural, traditional, and historical values

Our changing journalism world

• All these changes have direct impacts on career
• pportunities for journalists
• M ainstream news organizations have cut staff, and
• ften reduced salaries and benefits of remaining staff
• Specialty news outlets and specialist Web sites have

created jobs for journalists, who developed expertise

• n topics like energy, health, international relations,

environment, or transportation

Our changing journalism world

• M any more journalists work as freelancers now; they

rely on learning entrepreneurship and marketing themselves

• So, when change is inevitable – how can you take

advantage of it?

– Develop multiple skills (reporter, photographer,

videographer, editor, copy writer, Web master)

– Build a freelance base – Keep training, and network – Be flexible – Protect the Freedom of Press

Publishing – on your terms

Publishing – on your terms

• Where is YOUR place in journalism, where do you

want to go with what you are learning?

• Example: A digital space where people can find you,

and they know what they are going to get when they go there

– A solid reputation (your brand), regular publishing – Consistency – Output and quality – Be available where people expect you to be – Be present: Stake a claim, show up

Freelancing in journalism

Freelancing in journalism

• Appointments for freelancers radically grow for years

now, while permanent employees of news

• rganizations are set free at the same time
• No fixed salary, no pension, no healthcare
• Ivanhoe, Sir Walter Scott – soldiers for hire
• The weapons today are words, photos, and graphics

Freelancing in journalism

• Training and contest opportunities

– Sign up for the free online newsletter of the

International Centre for Journalists at www.icfj.org

• Examples of newsletter opportunities for freelancers:

– Freelance journalism workshop in Spain – The Guardian hosts course on freelancing – How freelancers are funding independent

journalism

– Funds for freelance investigative projects

available

Freelancing in journalism

Opportunities:

• Freelancers can have a more flexible lifestyle without

rigid office time schedules

• The can decide which appointments to accept, and

which ones to decline

Freelancing in journalism

Challenges:

• Y
• u must recognize that freelancing is a business,

even if you do it just part-time: M arket research, selling, negotiating, learn new skills, billing

• Start it while in a full-time job, or still being a

student – in the early times, it’s difficult to make a living from freelancing

• Hugh amount of competition: M ake sure they have

reason to hire you, not one of your competitors

– One or more areas of specialization – M arketing, producing, following up

Freelancing in journalism

5 keys to successful freelancing

• Find your article and photo idea
• Identify potential markets
• Pitch your idea to the editors
• Do top-caliber, professional work
• Follow up with editors for payment, future

assignments

Where is journalism going?

Where is journalism going?

The future is bright.

Where is journalism going?

• Don’t we want to know the news every day, the

latest soccer results, and the security situation of our holiday destination?

• Don’t we want to know about the schools where our

kids go, about the intentions and credibility of politicians who want us to elect them?

• Do you thing that will change in future?

Where is journalism going?

Ways journalists work now/ in future

• Writers
• Editors
• Photographers
• Designers

Where is journalism going?

Also …

• Social media writer / content creator
• Video editor / producer / director
• TV/ radio/ print multimedia reporter
• Blogger
• Fact-checker / researcher

Where is journalism going?

Did you think of this?

• Speech writer
• Lawyer
• Business person
• Public relations
• Politics

Where is journalism going?

And …

• T

eacher

• Book author
• Spokesperson
• Communicator to the world

Where is journalism going?

Where do you fit into all of this?

• Y
• u can go where ever you want to go.
• Journalism is never static – it reflects the world: the

diversity, joy, sadness, hope, anger, human condition

• Y
• u have the privilege to serve your communities

and help promote awareness, discussion, and change

Where is journalism going?

Believe in yourself and use your skills:

• Writing
• Reporting and interviewing
• Research
• Critical thinking
• Effective communicating with audiences

Where is journalism going?

Be a better news consumer

• Engage with the news. Be thinking about the news

report’s content, style, and its impact

• T

each others, be an educator

• Use news reports to spur discussion, action, change

in your community

Where is journalism going?

Whether …

• Y
• u choose to be a better informed user of

journalistic content …

• Or choose to be a journalist …
• Being smarter, more discerning is always the best

way to be involved

Assignment No. 6 consis t

• f 2 parts.

Please find it on the Web page. Have a good weekend!