Robert Hernandez: September 2010 archive
Web Journalism's rules of tech engagement
September 27, 2010
For some time now I've been preaching the Real-Time Reporting gospel, harnessing not only social media but all tech to advance journalism.And while it, for me, is based on core journalistic values, it was clear that some folks were thinking that my message was an attempt to replace the way we did reporting.
So, that prompted me to whip up the rules I present at nearly every talk I give. This is a list of guidelines to remember when you engage with constantly-evolving Web Journalism.
These are the rules I work under:
Rule #1. Journalism first, technology second
Technology is, and will always be, changing. Our journalism core values do not. News judgment and ethics are key no matter if journalism is in the form of pixels or paper or whatever.
The point to all of this - printed word, Flash interactives, video documentaries, visualized data, social media, etc. - is not the tool. Let's be clear, the point is serving the community by helping inform citizens in a democratic society.
It's the people and their stories, not the databases and Twitter followers.
We use these powerful tools to help advance our journalism, not replace it. Got it? Good.
Rule #2. If your mom says tweets she loves you, check it out
This is basic Journalism 101 and it applies to old-school and new media alike. Whether you get an in-person tip or a Twitter message (it's okay to call it a tweet, y'all), it is not fact. It's the start of the reporting process, not the end of it. More...
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Real-time Web + journalism = Real-time reporting
September 20, 2010
The next phase of the Internet affecting journalism -- for better or worse -- is well underway.We started out with websites, then blogs, then the interactivity of Web 2.0. Now, we are in the era of the real-time Web.
Which, for us in journalism, means real-time reporting.
This next phase has the power to improve and advance our journalism, but also puts our core journalistic values to the test.
Twitter's original question, "What are you doing?" has evolved to "What's happening?" Social media has made telling people where you are, what you think, and what you see, common expressions on the Web -- again, for better or worse.
Yes, social media is routinely filled with TMI and, quite frankly, unless information. But it also has given the average person the ability to document and share newsworthy and historical events the moment they happen are happening.
Just look at a recent example, from a few weeks ago: A gunman walked into the Discovery Channel's headquarters, taking people hostage.
The real-time Web went to work with first-hand witnesses. More...
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Online Journalism or Journalism Online? There is a difference
September 13, 2010
[Editor's note: Robert Hernandez of the USC Annenberg faculty will be posting frequent commentaries to OJR about online journalism this academic year.]I'm a journalist, first and foremost.
It doesn't matter the medium -- pixels or paper, airwaves or WiFi -- I want to produce it, distribute it, consume it and innovate it. Oh yeah, and I want to save it.
But the term "journalist" is a broad category that is only increasing in size, filled with diverse specialties and talents.
So, if I may, I'd like to be more specific: I'm a Web journalist.
No doubt you've heard of this term before, but recently I've notice a misinterpretation of the term.
Please allow me to clarify it.
When I first started my Web journalism career, a good friend and mentor pulled me aside and planted a concept that still guides me today: It's not Journalism Online, it's Online Journalism.
There's a lot of difference between the two, besides the rearranging words. To me it is simple and powerful.
Think of it this way: Art Online or Online Art.
Take a photo of Mona Lisa, one of the most famous works of art in the history of mankind. Get a nice, hi-res image of the painting and post it onto the Web.
The single image on the Internet brings this classical piece of art to millions of people who never will travel to Paris to see it first-hand.
That is Art Online. More...
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