It wasn’t long ago that a reporter could head out on an assignment with nothing more than a notebook and a pen. Maybe a camera, but that was only if there were no photographers around. But those days are rapidly drawing to a close.
The multimedia journalist is on the rise. Nowadays, your cell phone and digital camera can serve as your camera, microphone, recorder, and data transporter. There is no reason why one cannot retrieve a story on the spot with the necessary equipment at hand. Denton Record Chronicle’s B.J. Lewis takes pride in this new trend of media. Lewis uses the technological approaches to help advance the work he does for the local newspaper. His day consists of going out with the camera, recording and reporting his story, coming back to the newspaper headquarters and logging and editing his piece, and then comes the fun part. He uploads his stories onto the Denton Record Chronicle website, and then allows readers to see an extension of the story via myspace.
Multimedia journalism has taken on a major aspect in how all journalists convey their news. This type of free range gives journalists the ability to share more of their opinion in response to stories they have done. Journalists do this through private websites, blogging, and live chats. The digital age has led the way for more advancements beyond belief and will continue to do so.
As a journalist in progress, I have had the opportunity to take classes that teach me how to write and produce effectively for the web. Lewis was not as fortunate as I am in this respect because he had to learn through trial and error. I am hoping that I will grow in my studies here at UNT, and be able to work effectively in this new age of multimedia.
