For journalists, clarity is as important as accuracy "Basic rules for writers: Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. Never use a long word where a short one will do. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out. Never... Continue Reading →
Video: a (very) interactive newspaper
I'm indebted to Andy Dickinson for sharing this video on Twitter, of an interactive Lancashire Evening Post, created by UCLan and partners. Paul Egglestone explains the why and the what of the project in the video, and also shows how the data of reader interaction is captured. The last bit is so important thing; I understand (and... Continue Reading →
Future newsrooms, and lessons from Poland
Now I’m in North Wales, it’s no longer such a stretch to get to events in Liverpool like Social Media Cafe (find out more on SMC here - and if you can go to one, do. It’s brilliant) So off I went to Thursday’s open mic SMC to find out more about the mechanics of... Continue Reading →
My interesting reads (weekly)
How to use a Twitter account to connect with audiences and cultivate contributors « MDLF Knowledge Bridge tags: twitter collaboration network socialPosted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
My Interesting Reads (weekly bookmarks)
The Mouse that Roars: Why RebelMouse May Just Make Twitter Work for the Rest of Us | Social Media Today Why RebelMouse May Just Make Twitter Work for the Rest of Us http://t.co/Baeb6gBJ @teamreboot: We’re the public de-nerdifier for Twitter.The Ann Arbor Precedent | American Journalism Review Three years ago, Ann Arbor lost its Newhouse-owned paper and... Continue Reading →
Mocking up photos, and mocking readers
These are some the points commenters found objectionable about about The Sun's Naked Intern photoshootShe was femaleShe was an internShe was asked to make an impossible choiceThe Sun did not ask a Page 3 girl to do it (Seriously. I guess Page 3 girls must just wander around the editorial floor at all times, filing... Continue Reading →
Brevity is the soul of… any story
(Photo credit: ciboulette)While reading this article on the importance of story-telling, and why people need to avoid the trap of thinking Facebook is about link-pimping, the last paragraph caught my attention:'"The best stories represent a simplicity of purpose and tap into the audience’s imagination so that they willingly go along for the journey. And the... Continue Reading →
11 thoughts about tolerance. (And why it’s over-rated)
I'm starting to think social media has made me a less-than-tolerant communicator when it comes to certain issues. This is why: 1. I assume everyone has already seen whatever Twitter is buzzing about and so knows what I'm talking about.2. "Because it's wrong" is not a comprehensive and thorough enough explanation of why I detest MSM... Continue Reading →
A bit of MSM and hyperlocal co-operation goes a long way
I came across an exchange between the Daily Post and Wrexham.com on Twitter today that made me happy. It makes far more sense for MSM and hyperlocals to support each other to get information out; the alternative is to pretend the other doesn't exist or - worse - denigrate the 'rival' source. The former is a... Continue Reading →
Industry disruption and journalism – an enthusiast’s perspective
Brian Storm, founder of Mediastorm, says to photographers: "Don't just take someone's picture - give them a voice..."But this EJC video interview, hosted on Vimeo in HD, has a message that has relevance far beyond photographers - I think it's essential viewing for anyone working in a newsroom right now. He says: "The tools are so... Continue Reading →
Alison Gow | Building the New 