Page 166 - Convergent Journalism an Introduction Writing and Producing Across Media

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

needs the ability to tell any story in any form, including the inverted
pyramid for newspapers, a standard broadcast narrative, and a Web
version. “Writing across media may be one of the most difficult skills
to master, but the task is made easier by the presence of story builders,
editors, and others who can help refine the story for presentation,”
Grant said (2004).
When news breaks, journalists need to know which medium to feed
first. Communication with managers is vital, aided considerably by
satellite and cell phones. CNN reporters typically deliver a live televi-
sion report, record a follow-up report, rewrite their script for the Web,
and then feed for a radio network, all in the space of an hour or two,
Grant said (2004). It is unlikely that all journalists would be expected
to master all the skills related to gathering information. “Indeed, many
news directors [and] editors say they do not expect every journalist to
do everything,” Grant said. In converged newsrooms, it is more likely
that journalists will need a set of skills for handling basic stories. They
also need to know when to call for help if the story develops beyond
their basic skills. In collaboration with their newsflow manager, they
156 would decide on the necessary backup to deal with the situation, much
like the first police officer at a crime scene. Multi-skilled journalists
need to know how to operate basic newsgathering tools. To that end,
each year the Newsplex assembles the Ifra NewsGear. For more infor-
mation, see the Newsplex details in the Web references at the end of
the chapter.

Multimedia Skills

The most fundamental skill a multimedia reporter needs, as Chapter 3
explained, is the ability to write. If you can write well for one plat-
form, you can write well for any platform. What about technical skills?
In some respects, the technology is becoming relatively simple, and it
is more important to know how to conceive ideas than it is to use the
tools. If we must talk about the tools, the multimedia journalist needs
to be able to take still and moving images. This will involve various
forms of digital cameras. Allied with the digital still camera is the need
to know how to use Photoshop. Possessing strong Photoshop skills will
enable you to rescue poor images and to enhance good images. Some
photographs will appear on the Web, others in print and as stills for
television. Photoshop should be one of the first software packages that
the aspiring multimedia journalist learns. Much Web production is