The model has two layers.
The first layer demonstrates how journalists can use the Internet; in particular, networking sites to increase the speed of breaking news stories. As journalists this should excite us all. Historically, journalism has been about breaking news and breaking it fast. The second layer shows how the internet can add depth to the story after its initial breaking, through blogging and forums.
Bradshaw’s model is exciting. It outlines the importance for today’s journalists to build and to stay in touch with, the Internet community. Keeping on top of sites like Twitter and Facebook can be central to network journalism. As more and more people use the Internet and the digital generation takes over, the importance will only become stronger.
Like with everything in online journalism there are pitfalls, such as reliability and breadth of audience etc. Despite this, even for sceptics, it’s difficult to argue that the Internet and networking sites do not strengthen a journalist’s resources.
Even with this strengthening, we must be careful not to forget or neglect previous ways of networking, such as the simple phone call. At the moment, in the early years of this interactive world we must only use the internet to complement older tactics. Maybe one day they will dominate, but then again we must not forget the previous approaches as we may lose personality to the job.
Always remember don’t look directly into the light.
IMAGES - '21st Century Newsroom' courtesy of Victoria Peckham from flickr.com, 'Bradshaw's Model', courtesy of onlinejournalismblog taken from flickr.com, 'sun and moon' courtesy of philly2008 taken from flickr.com.
Well said bud.x
ReplyDeleteChris, I agree. It is by using our core skills and building on the new forms that will allow us to tell stories in new - and I'd argue better ways.
ReplyDeleteCommunity is all important, and the tools we choose to work with that community are just that, tools.
How we access them depends on what kind of community they are. So yes, sometimes a phonecall is enough to do the job, ask ET if you want ;D