By Matt Neznanski
Newsroom activists have to do a lot of arm-waving and hand-holding to get reporters to try new ways to tell stories.
Sure, newsroom culture and fear have sunk many a well-intentioned multimedia package and most organizations still make online fight for a place at the assignment desk. But sometimes the big hurdle in getting the raw materials for Web journalism is to get the right tools in the right hands at the right time.
Here’s a story: Recently, I was part of a planning session for a big series we’re planning that will include a lot data analysis, some history, plenty of opportunity for interactivity and feedback, mashups, multimedia; the works. We spun out lots of cool ideas and some plans to make sure our technical staff can build and support the things we talked about.
After the meeting, the reporter came to me and said, “There’s a lot of cool stuff here. What do you need from me?” I had to pause a bit, but realized that I needed everything from him: links to data sources, video, audio, locations for geotags and images.
In order to get the best of everything, to make it spontaneous and sustainable, he’d have to collect things as he went. Which meant he’d have to do a lot of his reporting outside the notebook.
Of course, that means a lot of training around the technology and active support to change the reporter’s natural instinct to grab a notebook or two, two pens and a pencil when heading out the door.
Now he needs those note-taking items plus an audio recorder, a point-and-shoot and a video camera. That’s just a barebones list, according to some accounts of what a mobile journalist needs to pack on assignment.
In small newsrooms like the one I work in, there’s a tendency for the most tech-obsessed to take charge of the gear (since there’s only so much to go around), which lets the rest of the staff avoid the inevitable need to get familiar with the new tools of the trade.
So here’s a call to Web editors, content managers and multimedia shooters: put the camera in the hands of the least technical person in the newsroom. You’ve set the example, now stop enabling your colleagues by doing it for them.
Doing so will probably set off another round of little earthquakes in the newsroom, but we’re used to that by now and it’ll pay off in the long run. And start collecting examples of all the great new stories you’ll be telling to prove to the boss that the pain was worth it.
Matt Neznanski is a city hall and business reporter for the Corvallis Gazette-Times. You can read more about – and from – Matt on his site.
Mark Briggs 
Posted in 
I just want to tell you that I am just new to blogs and really liked your web blog. Probably I’m likely to bookmark your website . You surely have amazing posts. With thanks for revealing your webpage.
pretty helpful material, overall I feel this is really worth a bookmark, thanks
I have observed that in the world of today, video games are the latest popularity with kids of all ages. Many times it may be impossible to drag your family away from the video games. If you want the best of both worlds, there are lots of educational activities for kids. Interesting post.
After going over a few of the blog articles on your blog, I seriously appreciate your way of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my website as well and tell me how you feel.
Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it.
Great info. Lucky me I discovered your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I have saved it for later.
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Many thanks for providing these details.
I’ve observed that in the world these days, video games are definitely the latest trend with children of all ages. Many times it may be impossible to drag your children away from the video games. If you want the very best of both worlds, there are various educational games for kids. Great post.
Do you believe reincarnation? Do you think past lives regression is real?
Pretty! This was a really wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying this info.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Many thanks for supplying this information.
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your site is very useful. Thanks for sharing!
Faytech North America is a touch screen Manufacturer of both monitors and pcs. They specialize in the design, development, manufacturing and marketing of Capacitive touch screen, Resistive touch screen, Industrial touch screen, IP65 touch screen, touchscreen monitors and integrated touchscreen PCs. Contact them at http://www.faytech.us, 121 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013, +1 646 205 3214.
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this post and the rest of the website is also very good.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be useful to read articles from other writers and practice something from other sites.
There’s definately a lot to find out about this subject. I really like all of the points you have made.
Howdy, There’s no doubt that your website could possibly be having browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Apart from that, fantastic site!