I don\u2019t know if this post will make sense, but let\u2019s just call this a rough draft of a rant\u2026 or prediction\u2026 or I don\u2019t know what. I just wanted to put some thoughts down, no matter how raw, because we\u2019re on the verge of some significant changes.<\/p>\n

I was asked recently by the Online News Association<\/a> to lead a session on Social Network Reporting<\/a> (SNR). That\u2019s when we as journalists harness the power of Social Media throughout our process \u2013 looking for sources, crowd sourcing, distributing content, engaging with our community, etc.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve done several presentations for classes and a couple of workshops, but the request was to be more \u201cadvanced\u201d \u2026 not SNR101, but the next level.<\/p>\n

The thing is SNR is actually very simple and built on basic concepts. After you understand the power and value of Social Media<\/a>, learn the lingo<\/a> and play with the tools<\/a>, there isn\u2019t much else to learn. Just make it part of your journalism routine.<\/p>\n

In other words, there\u2019s not really an \u201cadvanced\u201d to SNR except maybe experimenting with the latest tools and apps.<\/p>\n

But the idea got me thinking\u2026 While SNR is an incredibly valuable tool, one that is still being under utilized\u2026 it\u2019s really still just a tool\u2026 and it\u2019s a tool inside a toolbox that I am labeling Real-Time Reporting (RTR).<\/p>\n

For me, that is the \u201cadvanced\u201d level. That\u2019s the next logical step for us.<\/p>\n

The Real-Time Web<\/a> is a concept that has solidified because of Social Media. What are you doing now? What do you think now? And this applies to us in journalism because it\u2019s the same behavior as breaking news.<\/p>\n

Social Media is key. But there are other aspects to explore in this real-time reality.<\/p>\n

As journalists, RTR takes the latest from technology (hardware, software and infrastructure) and mashes it up with our core journalistic values (news judgment, ethics, law, spelling\/grammar, etc.).<\/p>\n

It\u2019s journalism without a safety net\u2026 it\u2019s hyperlocal AND global journalism\u2026 it\u2019s working under the deadline of now, in 15 minutes and 15 minutes ago… it\u2019s MacGyvering technology to do journalism by any means necessary.<\/p>\n

Let me give you an example.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say there is a breaking news story. Let\u2019s imagine that there is a shooting at a local mall. We hear the news breaking on the police scanner. <\/p>\n

Typically, the Metro\/Assignment desk immediately dispatches a reporter or crew to go to the scene. Meanwhile, someone calls the authorities to get the latest information on the record.<\/p>\n

Eventually the reporter arrives at the scene and begins to hunt for witnesses and sources. As they get information, they file it or call it in\u2026 well, they should. Or, if they are broadcast, they do a live report when they have gathered enough information.<\/p>\n

With SNR, in addition to calling the authorities for official information, someone is also searching Twitter<\/a>, Flickr<\/a>, and other social media looking for people at the scene\u2026 looking for potential sources. They should also be asking for any tips and contacts through their social networks\u2026 and ask the community to spread the call for help.<\/p>\n

When the reporter eventually makes the scene, they should announce their arrival, location and availability on their own social networks\u2026 this allows potential sources to reach out.<\/p>\n

The news organization should make sure to take the time to thank those in the community who helped with the coverage. It should also promote the pieces, which essentially distributes the work.<\/p>\n

In addition to the real-time of social media, there are new tools we should employ when appropriate\u2026 which takes this to RTR.<\/p>\n

A reporter can be sending out images or live video (UStream<\/a>, Qik<\/a>, Twitcasting<\/a>, etc.) from their cell phones. A photographer or reporter could be automatically uploading images from their camera using technology like the Eye-Fi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If they had a laptop, camera and stronger Internet access, they could do a more complex live shot that includes participation from the audience… a live chat from the scene.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t wait for the day when a low-end camcorder is going to have an external mic jack for better audio and the ability to upload immediately\u2026 we\u2019re almost there. Kodak\u2019s Zi8<\/a> and the Eye-Fi would be powerful together\u2026 but they currently don\u2019t work together.<\/p>\n

People chuckle when I pitched this, but I foresee the day when a device becomes THE reporter\u2019s super notebook. A laptop is too heavy, Internet connections are unpredictable and it needs a power source. Meanwhile, a smart phone is too small, horrible to type on and needs to be recharged often.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, technology is giving us patchwork solutions. The MiFi from Verizon<\/a> and Sprint<\/a> gives you broadband anywhere. There are external batteries<\/a> that keep your iPhone and laptops charged for longer periods of time. You can buy accessories to like an external keyboard for you phone or an app to sync your iPhone camera to your cameraless iPad.<\/p>\n

But it is only a matter of time when text, photos, audio and video are available in an appropriate sized device that easily takes journalists to the next level\u2026 real-time reporting.<\/p>\n

And when this technology arrives, it will really begin to separate those who can produce quality journalism on deadline from those who can’t. It will test our core values. There are a lot of challenges when you go live\u2026 lots of opportunities to fail\u2026 to get wrong<\/a>. So we need to be at the top of our game to build and maintain our credibility.<\/p>\n

Professional journalists \u2013 with or without formal training \u2013 will emerge as they are no longer worried about technology they routinely use. We\u2019re not going to be wow\u2019ed or scared by the latest device. We\u2019ll just embrace it and return the focus on the content\u2026 because it\u2019s always been about the content.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t know if this made any sense\u2026 or if this future scares you\u2026 or if you are as excited about it as I am\u2026 but I believe this is where we are headed.<\/p>\n

Journalism continues to evolve\u2026 are you ready for the next level?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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