When media strategist and UM professor Alex de Carvalho discussed the rise of social networking sites-like Twitter, Facebook and Flickr-with our Online Journalism class Tuesday, I began to understand the importance of not only establishing your internet identity and reputation, but creating a sense of community as well.
I've realized that Journalists can have the best of both worlds. On one hand, they can be the objective, detached investigator, a fly on the wall researching and reporting just the facts before moving on to the next story. On the other hand, we have the twitters, the bloggers, the self-promoters; those who have established their credibility and authority in the online news world by inviting the audience to participate in discussions and share their reactions on everything from sports to politics. These individuals are the true community builders, replacing the old-fashioned pencil and pad reporters with modern, multimedia mavericks.
On Wednesday, MiamiHerald.com reported that news pioneer Rick Sanchez has unleashed TV's "first true multimedia experience" on CNN-a format filled with enticing video clips, live interviews and discussion boards. The Herald reported that Sanchez's unconventional, speedy and flashy format could become the "future of TV news-or it's death." Though former UM Broadcast Journalism professor Sam Roberts compares Sanchez's show to "Larry King on Steroids," he noted that the concept of promoting direct discussion and interaction on the Internet between the news source and the community is truly great and revolutionary. And I have to agree. Rick Sanchez is effectively embracing the opportunities offered by multimedia, and using his experiences to connect people in a variety of ways.
I can't believe that the former WSVN reporter whom had once been criticised for labeling everything from a school shotting to a kitten being trapped in a tree as "shocking news," is shocking the news world again. But this time, in a good way.
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Thanks for the mention, Ashley. I think media organizations need to understand when and how to use these tools to interact with the community, and the advantages and pitfalls to doing so. These are early days and I think more sophisticated methods will emerge.
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