University of Florida | 1 September 2009

Online Journalism: Wake-Up Call

Wake up! Read this: Journalists must build a personal brand: 10 tips

Presenting Yourself Online

• Your resume: LinkedIn (free); here is a former student's resume
• Your domain name (e.g., mindymcadams.com): Google Apps ($10/year)
• Your Web site: Weebly (free) or Google Sites (free if you have a domain name)
• Your blog: WordPress.com (free)
• Your shared bookmarks: del.icio.us (example: see my bookmarks tagged with both "travel" and "international"; see everyone's bookmarks tagged "scuba" AND "Florida")
• Your RSS feeds: Google Reader (what is RSS?)

Look at the personal blog of a young working journalist: Meranda Writes

You already have FREE Web space here at UF (only 20 MB): plaza.ufl.edu

Online Journalism Courses at UF

• MMC 3260 (Carlson) Pre-req: MMC 2100
• JOU 4341 (McAdams) Pre-req: JOU 3101 Reporting
• MMC 4341 (McAdams) Pre-req: MMC 3260
• MMC 4946 (Carlson) Capstone: Pre-reqs are MMC 3260 and JOU 4341; JOU 4201 Editing is recommended

Tools for Creating Web Content

• HTML Dog
• Simple FTP Tutorial
• Free photo editor, similar to Photoshop: Gimpshop
• More tools

Some Wake-Up Calls from the Journalism Blogs

• Journalism Grads: 30 Things You Should (Have Done) This Summer
• Why is ‘blog’ still a four-letter word?
• A vote for change ...
• 2008 objectives for today’s non-wired journalist

Examples from the Pros

Finalists for the 2009 Online News Awards (the Pulitzers of online journalism)

New York Times Multimedia (full page index)

• Example: Manholes from India: Ladles of Molten Metal (photographer tells the story, illustrated by his pictures)
• Example: Adhamiya: A Sunni Island Stranded in Shiite East Baghdad (one of a collection of short profiles; notice the map on the left side)
• Interactive graphics: Full page index, including examples from 2008 U.S. elections
• Example: Deadly Rampage at Virginia Tech (illustrated diagrams of shootings)

Washington Post Multimedia (full page index; check out links at top left)

• Example: Tokyo Stories (package of videos)
• Example: Washington Post Investigations (blog highlights recent investigative journalism projects)
• Example: D.C. Schools Scorecard (interactive map of local school problems)

Reporter's Guide to Multimedia Proficiency

A series of basic beginner how-to lessons. No previous experience required.

1. RGMP 1: Read blogs and use RSS
2. RGMP 2: Start a blog
3. RGMP 3: Buy an audio recorder and learn to use it
4. RGMP 4: Start editing audio
5. RGMP 5: Listen to podcasts
6. RGMP 6: Post an interview (or podcast) on your blog
7. RGMP 7: Learn how to shoot decent photos
8. RGMP 8: Learn how to crop, tone, and optimize photos
9. RGMP 9: Add photos to your blog
10. RGMP 10: Learn to use Soundslides
11. RGMP 11: Tell a good story with images and sound
12. RGMP 12: Learn to shoot video
13. RGMP 13: Edit your video with iMovie or Windows Movie Maker
14. RGMP 14: Publish your video on your blog
15. RGMP 15: Maintain and update your skills

Resources

Teaching Online Journalism
My blog about digital storytelling and how newsrooms are changing.

Wired Journalists
Join a community of journalists who know about or are learning about online journalism.

PhotoJournalism: Mark Hancock's blog
One of the best photojournalism blogs, with lots of good resources linked in the right-hand column.

Journalists' Toolkit
Frequently updated list of free online tutorials and resources.

NPPA Monthly Multimedia Contest
Check out current work in newspaper online video and audio slideshows, from the National Press Photographers Association (each month's winners linked on left side of page).

SNDies
Society of News Design annual interactive awards. The 2009 judging is under way now (September 2009). See links to and information about the 2007 SNDies winners.

Online News Association
The premier professional organization for online journalists.

Copyright © 2009 Mindy McAdams | University of Florida