Shestheone21

From reading ‘Mashable 8′ and pouring over the blurry list of traits Lavrusik feels tomorrows journalists will need, I find it hard to contradict his view. I think for clarity sake, the list could be shortened to about four things that concisely get to the point.

For one thing, journalists of the future will need to be tech-saavy. Having skills to be able to tell  a story through multiple platforms is essential. From web design, flash animation, video editing, sound recording, camera work and the basics of video format/transfer/authoring, journalists will be pushed further and further into walking the plank and delivering content in the many evolving ways that the general public is beginning to find, use and expect it.

Besides being able to utilize  new technology appropriately and effectively to tell stories and reach audiences, I did agree that to really succeed as a new media journalist, its important to recognize trends and have that business and   entrepreneurial inclination. DePaul’s own Craig Kanalley is a perfect example of this. As a Graduate student, Kanalley combined his keen eye for trends (twitter followings, immediacy of tweets) and his sharp business sense to create BreakingTweets.com. Being an open minded experimenter, Kanalley was able to utilize tweeters around the world as eye witnesses to stories that had an immediate impact on communities and nations all connected by varying technologies.

Journalists now must  be a lot more accessible to their audience. In fact, its part of the job description. Audience engagement is key and journalists now have to build online communities and get their work out to their target audience.

Journalists seem to be stepping out from the shadow of large news organizations and establishing their own credibility as trustworthy professionals. Making their own brand, and standing apart as leaders of thought. This does make me wonder however….how does one do this? This seems to me to be more of an example of a Glenn Beck type character (although not a journalist), he is a brand, and according to Fox News ratings, a leader of thought to millions weekly!

lastly, I think more attention should have been given to the last trait. Basic journalism must-have skills such as information gathering, ethics and writing/reporting are still at the very center of any story no matter the format. A flashy website might have many curious looking stories and interactive lures, but if what you’re reading is not well written or accurate….you may have well been on the Fox News website!
As someone with a strong media background, I find it would be easy for me to slip through the cracks and pursue journalism without seeking out the basic laws and conventions of writing/reporting. I do know how to tell a story visually, and I can write pretty well. But  at the end of the day, i wanted to be able to call myself a journalist and know that even without technology and snazzy enhancements to entice readers, my stories would stand on their own.