Online JournalismJOU-732

Wayne MacPhailwmacphail@gmail.com

University of Western Ontario

What is Online Journalism?

Week Two

and introducing

designand delicious

What’s Online Journalism?

Journalism for the Web is very different from newspapers, radio and television, all of which, in their own ways, are broadcast media.

Not Convergence

Online journalism is more than just bringing together element of broadcast media

Not Shovelware

!

Online journalism is more than just shovelling existing media online.

What is Online Journalism?

• Embraces the Web

• Creates conversation and community

• Encourages content collaboration

• Participates in online social networks

• Extends great storytelling

• is audience-centric

... in every stage of the story process

Online journalism requires a total rethink of storytelling. It shifts to a participant model where broadcast is replaced by conversation and community.

That’s what it should be.

Not what it is.

Why?

The Arguments• Newspapers will always be here

• You can’t read it in the bathroom

• The Web/blogs/podcasts are just a fad

• Who wants to hear from non-journalists?

• We’ll just buy successful companies

• You can’t trust online information

Dated thinking and resistance to change still bogs down many newsrooms.

The Problem• Too much focus on paper, not enough

on brand

• Fear of guilds

• Listened to bungee jumping MBAs

• We’re just plain grumpy

The profit-centric, newsrooms as businesses mentality has slowed adoption of new storytelling ideas.

While newspapers were arguing over this stuff, folks without old

baggage, did great work.

Smaller, more nimble companies without the emotional ties to traditional journalism have taken many of the potential profit centres (classifieds) from traditional media.

Online AuctionsElectronic Classifieds

Electronic CommunitiesDiscussion ForumsCitizen JournalismCommunal Tagging

Instant Message BotsPhoto Sharing

WikisWiFi Networks

Some of the trends and opportunities traditional media have missed taken advantage of.

Now they’re just playing catch up.

Many newsrooms are still “grumpy” about online and still don’t embrace or understand the shift in thinking that is required.

Your turn

New journalists and new journalistic enterprises can make serious change.

Your Tools

• Digital cameras

• Audio recorders

• Cellphones

• Laptops

• Social media

• New attitude

The tools for coverage have never been cheaper or easier. The barrier of entry is dramatically lower. What used to be key differentiators (equipment, studio, broadcast license) now are just “table stakes”.

Even your own broadcast studio

mogulus.com

Even a broadcast studio, which used to cost millions is now free online using a service like mogulus.

Let’s begin

Our guest today, via Skype video, is Derrick O’Keefe, the editor of rabble.ca has been active in progressive organizing activities for a decade, volunteering on campaigns against child labour, for justice in the Middle East, in solidarity with Latin American social movements, and for ecological justice. Since 2002, much of his activist energy has been directed towards ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is co-chair of the Vancouver StopWar Coalition and a member of the steering committee of the Canadian Peace Alliance.

As a writer and editor, Derrick has been involved in alternative media efforts for a number of years, helping to found the on-line journal Seven Oaks and contributing to rabble.ca and a number of other print and on-line projects. He is currently writing a book with Afghan parliamentarian Malalai Joya.

Wayne MacPhailwmacphail@gmail.com

wmacphail

Contact me with any questions.