It’s the Audience, Stupid!

What is the new approach to storytelling and how is it being used to broaden audiences?

            The new approach is expanding storytelling through digital media. The article shows that Americans and Europeans want more international news so they can broaden their information and learn to fully understand all of the issues on the news. Many news reporters try to only include information that they think the people would want to hear. But now, they leave in all the information so people can read the whole story.

How is digital media being used to engage audiences?

            Audiences can take surveys about issues and stories that they liked and disliked. News engages the audience by creating a debate over certain topics. By seeing if people react to the stories, is the deciding factor if the news covered the correct story.

Give three specific examples of how you can incorporate storytelling into an article you write?

            One way I can incorporate story telling is if I include my own personal experience on the topic. If I am writing a story or article on Rider, I can write my own personal experience with Rider to connect with the audience more. Another thing I can do is incorporate Rider student’s that go there now. I can interview other students and by hearing their positive experiences at Rider. I can also incorporate storytelling by making it a debate. People can say their positive and negative experiences at Rider, which cause the reader to take a side. This way if there is a story and a plot, it is easier to picture.

All the Aggregation That’s Fit to Aggregate

What does aggregation mean?

            Aggregation can be summarized as the sharing of “articles of interest” from one news source to another. In some cases, it can be word-for-word recitation of an article, which according to Bill Keller, “In Somalia this would be called piracy. In the mediasphere, it is a respected business model.”

Why does the author describe Arianna Huffington as “the queen of aggregation?”  Go to the Huffington Post and provide an example.

            The author describes Arianna Huffington as “the queen of aggregation” through the Huffington Post, a website she founded and later sold to AOL for $315 million. The reason the “royal title” is imposed on Huffington is due to the fact there is little, if any, original material written exclusively for the Huffington. Many of the articles are based off of previous articles by other news sites and blogs.

Is aggregation a threat to professional journalism – why or why not?

            I think aggregation is a threat because people never get credit for their work. If you write and article and someone else basically rewrites the same article, you wont get the main credit for it. There are too many names and too many people who share the article and do not refer to the original author. This also could be useful if you want your article to be shared to a broader audience.

Photojournalism in the Age of New Media

A professional journalist receives a photo captured by a citizen journalist….

What are the positives?

            -Journalists can take photos before a news team arrives.

            - They can get detailed and exclusive information on a story.

            -They have more access to other places

Why does the professional journalist need to be careful?

-They have to be careful to cite everything and avoid copyright.

            -Make sure all details are correct and not exaggerated.

            -Take professional photos and always use your own work.

Why might the content of the photo be called into question?

            -Photoshop or Dreamweaver

How does citizen photojournalist impact the job of the professional photojournalist?

            -They can release stories faster.
               -They do not need any special training in taking pictures, unlike regular journalists who need a degree.