Cross platform reporting

Not really sure what I am supposed to say about the chapter we were supposed to read for this week.  The book is right it is really important to know how to use cross platform reporting to make your story the best it can be.  Mary Sheppard is quoted talking about a recent hire to her company, “he’s a writer – but he can talk to the web developer and he can tell him what he wants.”  Eventually the web developer will have a background in journalism so they both know where each one of them is coming from.  Also, the author gives a list of events for a reporter that is covering a train derailment:

·         Arrive on scene with a camera operator

·         Tweet the situation for followers

·         Conduct news gathering

·         Provide a live-to-air radio report

·         Confirm facts with the newsdesk for website update

·         Return to the newsroom

·         Edit a video report for the evening TV newscast

·         Check for reaction online and engage with those who have commented

With the advances to cell phones, for instance the iPhone which has unbelievably great video quality, most of these can be done on scene and almost no need to go back to the newsroom.  That’s what I think; I clearly have never been in the field doing any kind of reporting like this.  This was an interesting chapter and it was great to see how different online platforms can serve different purposes.