Ryckera Robertson

This chapter was all about the power of microblogging. Miroblogging is unique in the fact that it allows the reporter to grab the readers attention and inform them of something in 140 characters or less.

The most popular example of microblogging is twitter. Twitter allows anyone to be the journalist and report to anyone who is interested in listening. When used properly, twitter can display how a story can summed up into a short statement that can give the reader the overall purpose of a story. Twitter not only allows a reporter to tell a story, it also give the reader a chance to be a part of the story as well. What makes twitter so awesome is that it directly connects the reader to the reporter.

Microblogging’s future lies in the idea that the auidence can be an active participant in journalism and even more imporantly that a reporter can give the reader the main idea of a story as quickly as possible.

This chapter shows how audience participation is leading the progress of journalism. The most influential techniques being used to encourage readers to become the writer are crowdsourcing, open-source reporting, and pro-am journalism.

Crowdsourcing relates to reporting specifically what the audience wants. This may mean either reporting to answer a specific question or based on a targeted audience reporting a certain story. Crowdsourcing supports the idea that audience interest is what keeps journalism alive and progress. Give the reader what they want.

Open-source reporting is the technique of a news organization letting the public know about a story as it is being developed so that the audience can help report on the story. Reporters have realized that they can’t do it all. It’s easier to report on the story the audience wants if the audience can help the reporter get information. Trust your audiences ability to help investigate developing stories.

Pro-am journalism supports the idea of the audience being able to be a news organizations eyes and ears. During a time when anyone can take out a cell phone and take a picture or a video, the audience can help reporters fill in the blanks and even create their own stories.

The main idea of the chapter is to work hand-in-hand with your audience. Journalism is very unique in the fact that anyone can contribute to the story.

In this chapter Briggs discusses the importance of blogging. As the internet becomes more and more important to the journalism world, it is clear that blogging is one of the most powerful journalism tools that can be used.

Being a blogger allows a journalist to do many things.

– Actively communicate with readers.
– Be your own publisher.
– Create a following.

Blogs are the most direct way to be in control of all aspects of one’s writing and how it is presented.

Creating a blog can be simple and most blogging platforms are very direct and user friendly. The most direct platforms to create a blog on is through WordPress.com (this blog was created through the WordPress platform!) and blogger.com.

Though creating a blog can be simple there are definitely dangers with issues such as copywriting. It’s important to understand that all outside sources must be cited. In some cases, if possible, it may be easier to use freely shared images that the owner has shared.

Since blogging is tool that anyone can use it is important to know how to blog effectively.

Briggs uses this chapter to explain how the first step to being an online journalist is understanding how to create a web page. Throughout the chapter Briggs breaks down the basics to understanding how the internet works and how as a journalist it is easy to customize the internet to whatever you need.

One of the main uses of the internet that Briggs stresses is using RSS feeds. In order to be a good journalist a reporter must know how to be a reader and having a RSS feed is a good way to stay informed in the topics you’re personally interested in.

Another important aspect to using the internet as a journalist is being ability to create and update your own website. A reporter can be even more value if they can not only write but also maintain their web page.
http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=US#/watch?v=H3KESBQTD8k
The YouTube video above is tutorial of basic HTML coding. Though there are more advanced techniques, knowing the basics is always a good starting place.

The most important thing to realize is being a online journalist can mean whatever the reporter wants it to mean. There are many possibilities, the reporter just has to be willing to always learn.

Mark Briggs using the introduction of “Journalism Next” to discuss where journalism is heading toward. According to Briggs, this book is a tool for aspiring journalist to learn where journalism is heading and how to be a part of it.

Though one could look at the fact that newspapers are dying and say journalism isn’t the career to choose, Briggs assures the reader with these reasons that journalism is still the way to go.

– Journalism has a bright future.
– That future is in your hands.
– Journalism will be better than it was before.

Briggs uses examples such as BuzzMachine.com ,HuffingtonPost.com, and TechCrunch.com to show how journalism is respectful making the transition to the internet. This introduction shows how this book provides the tools to being successful in the future of journalism.