Multimedia: A New Way to Tell the Story

In the Session Multimedia: A New Way to Tell the Story,  Jen Friedberg, a multi-media journalist for the Star Telegram, spoke about the changing world of journalism and its transition to the world wide web.  Her first thought to any working and aspiring journalists is that reporters, photographers, and multi-media personnel should all work together.  “If they work together, the end result will be better than if they had worked alone,” she said.

One of the projects Friedberg worked on was a profile on the Rogers Hotel.  This piece explored the so called  “haunted hotel,” and allowed the public to gain access into a building that has since been shut down. 

Friedberg also showed works she had created with a fellow reporter about the execution of a man who was convicted of killing a 20-year-old male and his girlfriend.  Friedberg showed us two videos of the three part series.  She said the web allowed for in depth and lengthier pieces such as these two because it is essentially free, whereas T.V. is more expensive because of the need to provide advertising and create revenue.  Friedberg said, on average a television report is 45 seconds, while an internet report typically lasts one minute 30 seconds. This is because T.V. requires brevity and advertising to make it successful.  The internet has no time limits and is not restricted by commercials to create revenue.

Friedberg said the stories she does are documentary style, meaning she lets the source speak more than the reporter. 

Another key component to online journalism is the need for networking amongst other sites.  Friedberg said you should send stories out to other outlets who have a vested interest in your subject.  For example, if you are blogging or writing about a local organization, you should send the local organization the link to your website so that they can post it on their website, thereby creating potential traffic to your blog or website.  Also, establish rapport with Public Relations people you work with.  Send out the links to them as well, because chances are they will link your story to their site and you will get visitors to your site. 

For videos in the Fort Worth area visit: startelegram.com/videos