The Future of Convergent Journalism

Principles of Convergent Journalism

Wilkinson, Grant, and Fisher (Ch 12)

In converged media markets today, people want employees to know the basics:

• report the facts
• tell a clear story
• repurpose a story for the Web
• effectively work across different media formats

Global Perspective

In 2007 federal regulations prohibited cross-ownership of newspapers and TV stations in the same market. As “grandfather clauses” cease and global opportunities start to expand, there will be an increase of jobs available for convergent journalists.

Though jobs overseas may seem like a chance of a lifetime for some people, there may be dangers that come with new job opportunities. Journalists should research the region thoroughly before traveling and writing in a different country. Many countries like China and Tibet lack basic freedoms and censors all material that is produced for the public. In history, journalists have been held captive and even killed for reporting material abroad that may be disruptive to a country’s government.

Watch the 1984 trailer of The Killing Fields, a real-life example of how an international reporter was put into life threatening danger on a job.

Got the Skills…How Do You Land a Job?

Begin planning right away. Write out your short and long-term goals. Start simple and build your portfolio. The best platform to display your work is by creating your own website. The goal of the content is to market yourself and show potential employers that you are credible. A website is a catalyst to show off your convergent skills and stay on top of new and upcoming technologies.

REMINDER: Being credible means taking any inappropriate videos and photos off of social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Growth Never Stops

Once you have landed a job as a journalists, your growth and learning process with never come to an end. Journalism is a business that is in constant change. Writers, bloggers, photographers, camera men …(etc.) have to stay on top of the latest trends, techniques, and technologies to serve the best information and give audiences what they ask for.