Online Journalism: Theory and Practice

Week 4

Lecture 2

Summer 2011

G. F Khan, PhDDept. of Media & Communication, YeungNam University,

South Korea

Last lecture…

- Microblogging

This lecture…

--Mobile journalism--Live blogging

Ronaldo Car Crash

Ronaldo Car CrashManchester Evening news

crime reporter (Nicola Dowling) captured the scene with her Cell phone.

E-mailed it to officeThe story and pictures were

produced within minutesBy the time other journalist

arrived the area was sealed by police

What Dowling did could have not been possible without mobile technology

Mobile Journalism/blogging

 Allow users to publish news/information content such as short sentences, individual images, or video links using mobile and other hand held devices.

Why Mobile Journalism?

• Mobile is everywhere

Why Mobile Journalism?

• Majority of the people own a mobile phone• Mobile phones are becoming more

smarter and converged• Most offer text, Web browser,

color screens, camera, internet• All-in-one media tool – view,

capture, publish, broadcast

Mobile Journalism

Types of stories where you can benefit from this …Important speeches or announcements by public

figuresBreaking news of all kinds and stylesPublic gatherings like protests, critical board meetings

or places where you can observe a lot and push out tons of material quickly and easily

Sporting events

Mobile Journalism Tools

Professional journalistLaptop computerWireless card and USB

cordCamera: still and video …

and rain clothingStandAudio recorderMicrophoneHeadphonesCell phoneExtra pens, batteries,

pads

Citizen journalistCamera that shoots good enough pics/vidPhone with a keypad to type effectivelyMobile internet capability

Publishing options

Mobile MicroblogingConnecting to the micro-blogging services from

your mobile deviceTwitter and Facebook

Live bloggingCovering in on going event with constant

updatesCan be done with services like “coveritlive” http://www.coveritlive.com/

Publishing optionsLive blogging

Covering in on going event with constant updates

Example: Can be done with services like “coveritlive”

http://www.coveritlive.com/

Publishing options

Live bloggingE.g. 2. TechCrunch-covered Steve Jobs and his

keynote address at the Macworld conferences.

http://techcrunch.com/2008/01/15/steve-jobs-keynote-live-from-macworld/

Publishing options

Mobile Video Streaming video directly form

your mobile E.g. Qik, Kyte, and Flixwagon Streaming from any where No internet connection required Convenient and easy You can broadcast video from

your cell to webTwitter, Facebook, Youtube

etc. Needs subscription

Why is it famous?

• It is simple and easy• First-hand observations produce better

story• People expect up-to-the-minute

reporting• Linked to microblogging (Twitter)

Mobile Future

• GPS – global positioning system• Place-based news and information• Mobile, modest, non-threatening• Unlike bulky traditional journalist

equipment• Consider users in developing mobile

experiences• Resources are relatively inexpensive or

free

Thank YouQuestions & Comments