Multimedia in print journalism

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Multimedia in print journalism

• Jenell Anderson
• COM 545 Interactive Media Technology
• March 3, 2005

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Debra Landis

• Adviser to student publications at UIS
• The Journal
• Correspondent for The State Journal-Register
• Adjunct faculty member of the Communication
  Program
• Advertising
• Public Relations

3
Background

• Bachelors degrees in journalism and sociology
  from Iowa State University
• Masters degree in journalism from Southern
  Illinois University
• Has worked 25 years in the field of journalism at
  various newspapers

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Primary Multimedia uses

• E-mail
• Internet
• Search engines
• Search engines are an invaluable source for
  quick research. All you need to do is cut,
  paste, attribute. -Debra Landis
• News updates

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What do you think determines the effectiveness of
a story?

• Presentation
• Photos
• Illustrations
• Pull quotes
• Headlines
• Subheads
• Layout and headline are vital in drawing in the
  reader. -Debra Landis

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What effect does multimedia have on those
elements?

• Realize there is competition
• Print must use more design techniques to keep up
  in the media market and to keep readers
• Formation of the graphics department at The SJ-R
• More attention to photos, layout, etc.

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Is print media falling behind?

• Deadline pressure more prevalent in television
• Dan Rather
• Print allows for more in-depth reporting
• Enterprise reporting

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How has multimedia affected print journalism?

• Prompted to become more graphically appealing and
  readable
• Online versions especially influential
• Website becomes more developed/dynamic print
  version becomes more graphic-oriented and dynamic

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How has multimedia affected print journalism?

• Opening doors
• Cross over journalists
• Movement of integration of television, print and
  broadcast
• Sound bites and video clips

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The reoccurring question

• How much do we want the public to read the online
  edition?
• If it becomes popular, will the print be
  obsolete?
• Should all the content be included on the online
  edition?
• Should the online version have features not
  included in the print?

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The SJ-R answer

• Print version contains stories and features that
  the online version does not have
• The online version does not include any features
  not provided in the print version

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Other options

• Registration for site access
• Fee charge for an entire story
• Ideas/suggestions?

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Complement or distraction?

• Complement
• Opened up to readers print version may not have
  reached.
• Accessibility far greater
• Still provides main purpose inform and entertain

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Will online replace print?

• Says she doesnt believe in the adage that print
  will become a dinosaur
• Always need written record

15
Does online versions hold the same credibility as
print?

• Not sure, but gut says no
• Print will always have something up on online in
  terms of credibility
• Too much information available at the click of a
  button
• Average person may not be media savvy enough to
  differentiate
• Easy to credit a newspaper/media outlet or
  borrow a logo

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Which is best?

• The State Journal-Register
• www.sj-r.com
• The Herald Review
• www.herald-review.com
• The Chicago Tribune
• www.chicagotribune.com
• The New York Times
• www.nytimes.com

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Help me!

• The Journal