Convergence Journalism

By Christina Xamis

The journalism industry is always changing.  With the new world of the internet comes a new form of journalism: convergence.  Convergence is exciting and is the new and up coming trend in Journalism.  Media convergence is defined as a form of cross-media cooperation, usually involving broadcast, print, photography and internet sites.  This new form of journalism requires the journalist to be skilled in more than one discipline.  For example, a convergence journalist could write an article for a newspaper and produce a broadcast package on the same story all in one day.  Convergence journalism also adds more elements and details to a story through the use of more than one outlet to tell the story.  Now, when you go to websites to read an article you will more than likely see a video clip within the article.  It is much more appealing for the reader to see pictures and videos while reading a newsprint article; this is the formula for convergence.  This new type of journalism makes the reporter more attractive to future employers because of their knowledge and skill in the different types of media outlets.  Rather than being an expert in only broadcast journalism, convergence allows the journalist to be an expert in print and photography.

Journalism school faculties are embracing a clear directive: make sure students receive in-depth training in at least one 'traditional' medium as well as the breadth of experience that comes from working in teams on multiple media platforms.

New curriculum hammered out in consultation with administrators and nervous newsroom managers aim to do just that. Second-year undergraduates who opt for the convergence sequence will begin with basic skills training in radio, TV and online production, newspaper writing and photography. They will also sign up for a one-hour course in the fundamentals of advertising, marketing and public relations, especially as they apply to converged media operations.

Students will then take three core convergence courses. The first focuses on reporting. The second teaches editing and management. The third is a capstone that assigns teams to work on in-depth projects for our newsrooms or prototypes of new journalistic forms and products.

At the same time, students will take at least six hours of coursework from their choice of 'concentrations' developed by the existing sequences in areas such as investigative reporting, magazine design, photo editing or TV newscast producing. With six elective hours also at their disposal, they can gain even more experience in a single medium or use those credits for further exploration.            

Students now have the opportunity through SchoolTube to become a pioneer in this new type of journalism.  SchoolTube is offering students the chance to become a convergence journalism reporter.  Interested students can signup through SchoolTube’s website and start creating media convergence pieces and upload their videos, newsprint stories, and photographs to the website.  Media convergence is the future of journalism.  Now is your chance to become a front runner in the ever changing world of news and journalism.  Start learning and practicing all forms of journalism, the convergence world awaits your expertise. 

Christina Xamis is a Senior Reporter/ Broadcast Manager for SchoolTube.  She is a graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.  She was a general assignment reporter and co-hosted a talk show at KOMU News in Columbia, Missouri.  She is a frequent contributor to School Video News.  You can reach her through email.

Read the article and watch the video. Just click the image.

View the video portion of the entry from the students interviewed in the SchoolTube Maestro Project story. Click screen Below.

December,

2007