Former home of Headlines and Deadlines : 07/01/2012

Monday 30 July 2012

11 thoughts about tolerance. (And why it's over-rated)

I'm starting to think social media has made me a less-than-tolerant communicator when it comes to certain issues. This is why:

1. I assume everyone has already seen whatever Twitter is buzzing about and so knows what I'm talking about.

2. "Because it's wrong" is not a comprehensive and thorough enough explanation of why I detest MSM plundering Facebook photos SO MUCH.

3. I feel uncomfortable if people I know personally have egg avatars. I also make this plain until they upload a photo in self-defence.

4. I forget Scribd is not a verb, and that using it does not auto-translate into "handy way to share and embed a pdf accompanying an article".

5. My heart may sink at Powerpoint but should remember any involuntary groan of anguish I emit when confronted by another sodding Prezi will cause the speaker to react negatively.

6. I work on the basis that linking to a source for more information has permeated Real World consciousness. And I get cross when that assumption is confounded yet again.

7. I assume general understanding that correct attribution of Flickr or Instagram photos to rightful, consenting owners is a basic principle of use. This should not be a water-on-stone issue.

8. Talking about adopting an Agile ethos may cause others to believe I want them to run around at speed. I should check for blank or anxious expressions before continuing the conversation.

9. Tweeting to colleagues sat 10 feet across the office is no substitute for a conversation - but it is often faster, more effective and easier.

10. I believe there is a special circle of Hell for people who copy others' thoughts on Twitter and pass them off as their own. By incredible coincidence, several people all thought of this bon mot on Saturday, for example...

I remember back at nine o'clock when this were all fields.

— ade (@ade) July 27, 201

11*. I don't understand why the internet seems to demand lists are made in 10s regardless of whether it's required or not. *frowns at Huffington Post and Mashable*

* See? I also have zero patience with anyone who would admit to doing something "because the internet demanded it".
My tolerance levels are not what they were. And, to be honest, that's fine by me.

Flickr photo courtesy of jcoolmoonster

Friday 13 July 2012

A bit of MSM and hyperlocal co-operation goes a long way

I came across an exchange between the Daily Post and Wrexham.com on Twitter today that made me happy.
It makes far more sense for MSM and hyperlocals to support each other to get information out; the alternative is to pretend the other doesn't exist or - worse - denigrate the 'rival' source. The former is a MSM habit, the latter (in my experience) an indie one.

As far as I'm concerned, the main competition anyone trying to connect with content consumers faces is audience disconnect, distrust and apathy, not other information sources (whether those information sources are the BBC or the eyewitness tweeting).

Yes, I edit the Daily Post (the exchange below had nothing to do with me though) and I know we won't be unique in having candid, supportive conversations with other news organisations without getting precious.

But, as I say, it made me happy to see mainstream and indie teaming up to make sure a story was accurately and swiftly updated. And so I thought it was worth saving the moment here.
The Daily Post current version of the story is here and Wrexham.com's is here.

Thursday 12 July 2012

Industry disruption and journalism - an enthusiast's perspective

Brian Storm, founder of Mediastorm, says to photographers: "Don't just take someone's picture - give them a voice..."

But this EJC video interview, hosted on Vimeo in HD, has a message that has relevance far beyond photographers - I think it's essential viewing for anyone working in a newsroom right now.

He says: "The tools are so great and the distribution is there for everybody... that's been disruptive... but it has also created enormous opportunities".

Opportunities don't come along that often - I worked as a journalist for around 12 years before email came along, and then the internet - the pace of acceleration since then has been astonishing and exhilerating.

Mediastorm is amazing; I remember watching a package they created (for the Washington Post, I think?) a few years ago, on US soldiers and their families before and after a tour of duty in Iraq - it was haunting and disturbing and compelling. It was also a piece of digital storytelling that didn't require any text beyond context-setting captions.

For me the best thing about Storm's video interview is his enthusiasm - the fact that he loves the innovation sparked by disruption shines through.

It's five minutes of inspiration I'd recommend watching

Brian Storm - 'Discusses Storytelling and Journalism' from European Journalism Centre on Vimeo.

Sunday 1 July 2012

Journalism work experience debate (Storify)

I followed a good debate on Twitter today, when some valuable points were made regarding the pros and cons of doing unpaid work experience, and so I thought it was worth capturing the discussion via Storify.