Wonder why we do local reporting in class activities? Look at CNN … if it's good enough for them …
OK, I’ll admit. This is a little bit of a personal rant. I don’t do this much, but I’m kinda fed up – just a wee bit – so, I’m venting. 
)
Local news reported in a social network / emerging digital media kinda way.
When I first thought of this for classes, some time ago, I’ll admit to having that image of Al Franken’s SNL faux coverage of politics flashing through my mind. But, today it really is possible and provides students with realistic and valuable experience.
As we embark on our class activities at The Loveliest Village, students may wonder why we’ll be doing all this local reporting using lil’ cameras, laptops and social media / social network software platforms to publish.
Well, if it is good enough for CNN, it’s good enough for us, right?
Now, imagine using the skills my students develop in these exercises and then share those stories, videos, photos and more with news outlets online and print. Hey, they are seeking content. Get the drift? This is how we all may be doing a good portion of media relations in the future.
Actually, forget the future. I had students doing it today. This summer they pitched and delivered stories, video and photos. This semester they are collaborating with multiple news outlets to place stories they will create for class. Yep, it is not just what they post in The Loveliest Village. These news outlets have actually sought us out for content. No kidding.
So, students will create content much the same as CNN is now doing. Pretty cool, huh. ;o) And people said I was nuts. Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Well, some people said I was crazy. Didn’t know what I was talking about. Why show students how to do this? Hmm? If it is good enough for CNN, I guess it’s good enough for us. )
According to that PRWeek article, at CNN journalists “…will report for broadcast and digital mediums with lightweight kits, including wi-fi-enabled laptops, cameras, and editing tools.”
So now, our students will be able to understand how major media works – the new way. They’ll be sharing the content that reporters are looking for in this new world. Not only ‘are’ we way ahead. We’ve ‘been’ way ahead, for some time. Update: And, by the way, it isn’t just major media. Local … local … media has sought us out to create content for their sites. Hello?
What CNN is now doing is what we’ve been talking about and doing for a long time now. ) Just sharin’ …. just sayin’.
/rant
You are so “ahead of your time.” It’s a new media world! Interesting post on Mindy McAdams blog: http://mindymcadams.com/tojou/2008/how-much-longer-for-j-schools/. Of course, she’s talking about journalism and you’re public relations. They are different aren’t they?
Thanks, Chuck. I’ll go read her post, too.
Well, we are both in sort of a symbiotic relationship. Sadly, many on both sides see each other as leeches. Sad, but true.
I, on the other hand, see it as a mutually beneficial relationship between two disciplines. We do have much in common, especially when PR is done right.
So true. Great rant! I sent you a message via PROpenMic to that effect, but going in a bit more radical direction (for a corporate media conglomerate).
~Paul
Thanks, Paul. Great! We’d love to see what you’re doing when/if you’re willing to share it with the students. Appreciate it.
Robert, you are right on. Red Cross started feeding bugged b-roll, using twitter, utterz, flickr and an online newsroom some time ago. At a recent communicators conference I asked some of the media how they liked this and they said it was great. (Used to be if they didn’t shoot it, they wouldn’t run it, but not any more!)They also said we were ahead of many others by embracing this sort of medium. I say anything that will help you get out a clear, accurate message in a timely fashion is a great thing.
Thanks, Jennifer! Agreed. Whatever works and is easily shared with your key audiences is the way to go. All the apps you mentioned, we have been covering for some time. There are those that think it is folly. They, however, are what we call – dinosaurs. ;o)
People are going to increasingly flock to the new media forms of communication which will force people to recognize it as viable. Give this person time, they will come around.
Robert, again, your class activities are innovative and provide exceptional training to your students. Bravo! Please continue to share these classroom innovations. They are an inspiration.
I also enjoyed reading the comments, especially Jennifer’s story about how reporters have changed with regard to using PR-prepared media.