As newsrooms evolve, will new production processes make journalists more passive? That’s what BBC College of Journalism Chair Louise Minchin asked me when I spoke last week at their Future of Journalism conference. My talk was on the future newsroom — specifically, the News Diamond.
It was a great question. On the surface that’s how it might look. When journalists post alerts and blog drafts, they are inviting community input — and therefore are reacting, not just acting.
But that’s only half the story. Journalists who grapple with social media must become more active in many other ways. Digging up stories and leads remains important — but it’s increasingly problematic to assume that you have the definitive version of any story.
Also, posting Twitter alerts and blog drafts — rather than just a finished “package” — does take a little more work. When you’re more outgoing, you’re less passive. The reward is feedback and engagement.
Ultimately the new production team has become increasingly porous. Today it often includes experts, witnesses, accidental contributors, and anyone else who can add something valuable. (Previously I’ve called this Distributed Journalism.)
As journalists we used to actively seek those people out — generally via reliable (often official) channels. As a side effect, we tended to grow too reliant on particular sources. Today, sources increasingly come to us. Our work is now to make ourselves visible, accessible, and trustworthy. Also, we must filter and verify the information they provide.
I don’t think that kind of journalism is “more passive.” Actually, it’s getting out of your silos and making contact. It’s moving from being a conduit to a stimulator. It’s moving from a linear production process to a networked one. And so far, too few journalists are doing it.
