iPhone: The Future of Newsgathering?

The thing I love about interning at WISH TV is that no day is every the same. This particular day got me thinking about how newsgathering might change and evolve as I enter the field in the next several years.

Today a homeowner received the kindness of strangers when two paramedics stopped by her Anderson, Ind. home to say that oh, by the way, her house was on fire. The home is beautiful, I might add. It is Victorian-style, built in the 1870s and has customs trimming and painting. Luckily, the firefighters showed up pretty quickly. The story aired at the 10 pm (MyIndy, Channel 23) and 11 pm (WISH TV 8) newscasts.

That's the side story. The main story is how the iPhone is revolutionizing a journalist's newsgathering abilities. Let me explain.

It's been on stories like these - and others - that Web 2.o tools and ever-evolving PDAs can change our world. We can find directions, make phone calls and do research from the comfort of a handheld device.

With the mapping, address book and calling applications, reporters and photographers could more efficiently contact interviewees, find good places for B-roll and - with the new video-iPhone - shoot an entire news package with it ("good enough for the evening news). At least that's what the CBS affiliate in Miami did.

CBS4 branched out, using newer technology to report the news. Only time will tell how these tools will be used in the future of broadcast news.

NPR: Trailblazer of Journalism

In my rapidly growing affinity for NPR, I've discovered some pretty neat people.

Barbara Bradley Hagerty is vital in the field of religion reporting. She recently published a book, "The Fingerprints of God," in which she recounts her experiences abroad with different faith groups. USA Today profiles her and others who are making an impact on religion reporting these days.

Andy Carvin is the "social media guy" for NPR. Props to him - Mashable (THE online social media guide) cited him as one of the reasons NPR is at the forefront of social media (among the top 25 followed accounts on Twitter). The article applauded NPR for increasing its listenership/readership in a time when most news outlets are being forced to change. That's something to be proud of.

According to the article, NPR has embraced changing media platforms using a three-pronged system:

1. A focus on local. Experts have predicted that the future of journalism is in hyperlocal news.
2. A focus on social media. They are on top of this. Everytime I visit my Facebook home page, NPR has a new story posted with a video or podcast link. My most recent favorite was a story with amateur video footage of the beatboxing champions. That's what I call entertainment.
3. News on "my" terms. With the "me" focus of social media, NPR has created its platform in a way that allows news consumers to build their news consumption. You can create playlists and channels based on your interests.

Either way, NPR is blazing the trail for what lies ahead in journalism. Snaps to NPR!

Why I Love the News

It hit me as I was sitting in the TV studio last night with some of the other new interns. As I watched the 6 pm newscast, I realized some of my happiest memories growing up were watching the evening news (with CBS's Dan Rather, no less) and the local news (CBS 2 Chicago). 

Every night, like clockwork, amid Mom's microwave creations and Dad's peanut gallery comments of politicians, we'd watch the news. Sure, I wasn't always paying attention, but I associated the news with family time, dinner time and a safe, cozy home even if the news wasn't cozy. I guess it made me thankful for the things I do have in life. 

Something about the nuance of a newscast - the reporter's smooth, authoritative tone and the easy chatter in the newsroom made the anchors seems like family friends. I associate the news with hamburger helper, and doing dishes, with interspersed conversations about the "mean girls" at school or my latest homework assignment. 

Something about watching the evening news at dinnertime just gives me a sense of comfort.

I'm not even two weeks into this internship and already I can see that a lot of work goes into the news to make it the seamless broadcast viewers see from their living rooms. And it's not always pretty, either. 

Tonight, after a press conference for the latest Hoosier Lottery winner, the photog and I got a call about a fatal car crash. We traveled to the northeast side of Indy, and thankfully didn't see anything too gruesome. We then headed to the Irvington neighborhood to report on the proposed removal of a historic ice rink at Ellenberger Park. The citizens were clearly passionate about the topic and had plenty to say.

I will say one thing: I'm going to need a couple more pairs of shoes to get around at this pace. My high heels will be worn to a stubble before this summer is over.