Journalism Next: A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing

by Mark Briggs

Mark Briggs - Journalism A Practical Guide to Digital Reporting and Publishing, 2nd edition
 
Do you want to help build what′s "next" for journalism? Then jump into Mark Briggs′ proven guide for leveraging digital technology to do better journalism. The media landscape changes with such ferocious speed that as soon as new technologies gain a foothold, older ones become obsolete. To keep ahead and abreast of these ever-evolving tools and techniques, Journalism Next offers practical and timely guidance for both the seasoned professional looking to get up to speed and the digital native looking to root their tech know-how in real journalistic principles.
 
Learn how to effectively blog, crowdsource, use mobile applications, mine databases, and expertly capture audio and video to report with immediacy, cultivate community, and tell compelling stories. Journalism Next is a quick read and roadmap you′ll reference time and time again. Dive into any chapter and start mastering a new skill right away. And for today′s journalist, who can afford to waste any time?

Genres: Journalism

368 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 2009

Reviews

[April Helms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I was impressed with this book, although in all honesty any journalist who isn't doing (or at least tried) two-thirds of these things is way behind the curve. There are a lot of good, sound suggestions for journalists for incorporating the various aspects of online applications such as video, podcast, blogging and social media. There's a lot packed in 300-some pages, but it is well-organized and never feels overwhelming. There are many websites, programs and apps Briggs recommends, ranging from free to more expensive but top-drawer. What impressed me is that while the book was published five years ago, the content still feels fresh and relevant. There were a couple times where I was thinking "eh, that doesn't apply now," but only a couple, and they were minor points. That's impressive for a book on technology, especially in a field that seems to change every month (some would say every week, and I won't argue against that).
Only two complaints. The first is fairly minor- Briggs recommends that before doing a podcast or video, the journalist should warm his or her voice up, which YES, is wonderful advice. But then he goes on to say that the should warm up with a familiar song, such as the Star Spangled Banner. I cringed at this. No, don't use The Star Spangled Banner to warm up- you will hurt yourself. Take it from someone who has eight-plus years of classical vocal training. It's best to either sing on vowel sounds or, better yet, buzz up and down a few sets of scales that are easily in your vocal range.
The bigger issue is the overall tone that following these suggestions will help save the journalism industry. No, no they will not. This book is an excellent guide for journalists wishing to make the most of the online resources out there, yes. And don't get me wrong- shrinking newsholes, covering "fluff" for hitcounts, reporting mistakes and credibility issues are a big problem. But anyone who looks to this guide as a means of salvaging the industry will be disappointed. The biggest problem with the industry has little to do with the editors and reporters covering the news. It's that the profit model is deteriorating. Indeed, it is this implosion that is at least partially responsible for the troubles with news coverage.

[Carolyn Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is really geared to college students or young journalists, not a 12-year veteran.
I found some parts of it to be informative and useful.

However there are at least two main obstacles Briggs neglects -- the reasons why so many have fled the field, er, been laid off.

First, after doing the work of journalism -- covering the event, doing the research, interviewing, transcribing notes and quotes and finally cranking out the story, which in a small shop, the reporter has also taken the photos and potentially designs the page -- now you also have to manage a full-time social media presence with social networks, blogs, podcasts and videos.

Whew. All for less income than a first-year school teacher and crummy (if any) benefits. You may as well say goodbye to your family and outside interests and take a vow of poverty. Only difference is if you became a monk instead, you would actually gain community respect rather than disdain.

The second problem Briggs doesn't bring up is the business of journalism. It's ugly, and as a reporter for many years I tried to ignore the revenue side to be pure, leaving all of that worrying to my owners and advertising director.

No matter how much you try to ignore the elephant in the room, it is still in the room.

Advertising revenue is declining. Owners cut news space, cut editorial staff, undermining the quality of the product, and the hemorrhaging continues. The more content offered for free, the more people expect free. The problem is producing content isn't free. People have to pay the rent.

I read somewhere that newspaper newsrooms have laid off 30 percent of their staffs in the past several years. I believe it.

I left my newsroom a few months ago because it had become just me. No one to argue ideas with; no second professional to say that idea is lame or have you thought of this. Nobody to help proofread or to check for legal landmines.

I still love journalism; it's all I have wanted to do since I was 9. I am tired of fighting.

I agree with Briggs that a free and open press is necessary for democracy. I am still proud to be part a profession protected by the First Amendment. So many nations clamor for a free press but are blocked by dictatorships. Yet, here in America, we are throwing our freedoms away.

I know it's more complicated than that. I just find myself starting over in a career I didn't pick because I can no longer make journalism viable as a job. Yet I am thankful to be employed.

My family reminds me that I knew the field was troubled when I went to college. I knew it, and then it didn't matter. It was a love affair. I'm heartbroken.

I couldn't in good conscience recommend to a young person to pursue journalism, even if they are as idealistic as I was at their age. The personal sacrifices are too great. Forget about income, family or retirement. Major in something nobody thinks they can do, not something everybody thinks they can do but can't. Look at accounting, computer programming, engineering or teaching. Build a future.

I doubt my 18-year-old self would have listened. Her mind was made up. Come Hell or high water, she would make it work. And I did, longer than some, despite very high water. But you can only keep treading for so long.

I hope someday I can return to reporting. Maybe these young people will find a way and help preserve the United States. All of our futures are at stake.

[Steven Hummer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, ok, I'll admit it I did not read this book cover to cover as the last chapters were not assigned. What I did read though seemed to be focused more on twitter this and get followers like this and look at what people are tweeting. Even those that contributed with little stories on the side had their twitter handles next to their names in hopes of attracting followers.
The book seemed to sound more like a love note to twitter than a book about journalism tips. There was a nice chapter on podcasting that I enjoyed because I used to podcast (and may pick it up again) so I could relate to what the author was saying, but one nice chapter does not make the book worthy of a 3 star I like it rating so it gets 2 stars and an ok endorsement from me. Oh and I almost forgot follow me on twitter @sdhummer

[Zach Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for anybody looking to enter the world of digital journalism. A huge resource for any newsroom looking to know the what, why and how of journalistic innnovation. Briggs does a phenomenal job of breaking down every aspect of new media into easy and intuitive how-to guides that also convey their significance to journalists' work.

[John Jaksich · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book contains a wealth of information for the novice journalist. Suitable for sophomore-level journalism courses. The book reminds me of how the baby-boomer generation once regarded earlier generations of journalists. Makes for interesting reading.

[Karan Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to social media and technology just read this book you will be subtly taken to a new world of these.
For new media journalist its must! The third edition of this book has also been launched but its too costly for me searching a library to read.