I'm a Curator: That's CURATOR...not CREATOR! Although, you could say I am both!

To be a Journalist today you have to be adaptable. You have to try and be at the forefront of not only the news but of new media tools. You have to be a quick thinker, smart editor and a whizz with a computer! I have recently been using Storify an online curation tool used to help people 'make sense of what others post on social media' (Storify mission statement). The concept behind this new platform is that there are many voices on social media that should be heard on main stream media, thus Storify was created.

By searching for specific links to the story I was trying to curate, I was able to discover a broad range of opinions on the topic. I was able to discover videos that told elements of the story from one perspective and find tweets that told it from another. I pulled this information together creating an interesting story with lots of opinion, while adding in my own thoughts in between.

The problem with Storify though, is that its just linking information together from social media without any verification. You are trusting the sources you get your information from to build up a picture to the reader, while this is interesting it could be a dangerous tool for the legitimate journalist. The service itself could be useful but anyone can make a Storify story; without checking sources how does the audience know what information to really trust? Personally, I don't see the long term advantages of using it...but it is a fun tool to use and I created some interesting stories using it.

 A modern Journalist must be able to have tools at his disposal to give lots of information but should also be able to verify the legitimacy of the story. If we don't keep this side of journalism at its very core, then there will cease to be a need for 'professional journalists' because anyone can do the job!

There has never been a more exciting time...to be a JOURNALISM STUDENT!

It has been said that just because printed news is in decline, Journalism does not have to die along with it! Despite the evolving nature of the industry the core values that create a foundation for any Journalist are the same as they were half a century ago.

Ask the RIGHT questions, to the RIGHT people

 provide CONTEXT to the answers

DELIVER the responses in an INTERESTING and SUCCINCT manner

While the core foundation hasn't changed the method of delivery is vastly different. The tools that are available to a Journalist today mean that Journalism students must be equipped with far more ability than telling a good story and interviewing techniques (not that, that was all a Journalist needed before). Today a journalist must be able to engage with social media, to have a 'prescence' on the web. to be able to produce visually appealing infographics to 'tell the story' or help people to understand the story. They need to be proficient in multiple software platforms and understand many more.

The technology is changing as fast as we are discovering it and new Journalists must be able to adapt and evolve too. Embracing new technology as it appears will enable you to stay ahead of the game, to be more employable and give you the best future you can have.

The NEW newsroom must embrace all channels of digital media to stay ahead. Websites, Blogging, micro-blogging, Data Visuals, Print media, Phones & Tablets and many more. Steve Johnson, a Science Writer, said that "Ecosystem blogging, citizen journalism, Twittering and other Internet-age information sharing is taking root" while 'old paper news' is fading away. He stated that print news will become less prevalent, but while print media may slowly fade, Journalism is evolving and will continue to evolve.

It is a fantastic time to be a Journalism student at this technologically evolving time!

Live Blogging: In Principle, in Practise in Action!

Live blogging is a fantastic Journalism tool for making a running commentary of an event in motion. It is used for sporting events, conferences, news feeds or just about anything that is happening now and wants continuing coverage. For the audience or reader it is great for when you can't actually be at the event and want to know a play by play of what is going on.

The Guardian were early adopters of live blogging and have been live blogging minute by minute sporting events since 1999. In 2005 the Guardian used live blogging to report the 7/7 bombings in London. Today many of the major news organisations produce live blogging in some shape or form. There are many platforms available to do this, either through current blogs owned by the news organisations or through third party platforms such as, Twitter, Scribble Live, CoverItLive, Blyve and Liveblog Pro. These platforms enable Marketers, Media or Event managers to tailor their 'live blog' for a specific event. Additionaly plans wiill be made to advertise the live blog facility in advance of the event in order to attract an audience.

I attended a religions conference at the beginning of October this year and while I usually watch and make notes I had never before considered following any social media feeds during the event. This year I thought I would give it a try. I used two platforms to see what was being said during the weekend conference, Twitter, which was updated using #ldsconf hash tag by hundreds of different users and LDS Smile, a blog run by an individual who often posts inspiring and uplifting thoughts, both on their blog and Facebook and have over 56,000 followers! What I found interesting about following both these live feeds was first, how quickly LDS Smile were able to re-phrase what was being said on screen in 'easy to understand' language. Secondly, how people could actually have something to say, both negative and positive within about a minute of it being said at the conference (my brain doesn't work that fast!).

This was my first real experience of live blogging. So this got me thinking... my experience was from public live blogging and if they can achieve such excellent coverage with thousands of followers, what could the (Journalism) industry accomplish with their professional skills. In the realm of live blogging a Journalist must be quick thinking as they report minute by minute, they must be the editor, curator and Journalist; There is real power in this platform!

Social Media: My Journey, My Thoughts and the Future...

I have been using Facebook personally for many years and have a love-hate relationship with it. I find myself frustrated with the ridiculous things people share with the world. I despair at the one line comments that force people to ask "what's wrong?" 'Is everything ok Hun?" So, suddenly being faced with the task of using Twitter filled me with complete dread, thinking it would be just as bad as Facebook!

My reasons for using Twitter have been purely professional and while it has taken me some time to get it up and running, I am totally amazed at how it is being used in the Journalism industry. I had no idea that the 'world' of tweeting was quite so established.

Twitter is used by Journalists the world over to update, find and deliver stories. The instant delivery of news is what makes the future of Journalism at the heart of social media. In a recent article Mercedes Bunz from The Guardian wrote that "Most Journalists used Social Media as a source." The graph below shows how Journalists within the industry view the importance of Social Media.

The benefits of using platforms like Twitter, is that Journalists can engage with both the general public as well as professionals. This instantly equips the Journalist with many tools at their disposal. 

As a student of Journalism it has benefited me in my studies this semester. I have felt far more informed about current issues than I ever have been before. By following multiple news organisations and Journalists I have been able to get a broader coverage of current topics and as such have been able to develop my own opinion and understanding of the news coverage. This has enabled me to not be biased to any particular organisation or individual, it has also enabled me to Tweet, quote, write and link to many articles of relevance while adding my own reasoned analysis.

I have been able to see the limitations of engaging on Social Media. That as a journalist it is vital to still rely on primary sources and check your facts before you 'retweet' something that could damage your reputation. I think as long as it's used appropriately it is extremely useful in the world of Journalism.

I think it's impossible to predict the future of Social Media and Journalism since everything changes so quickly, but having a direct link to the public and professionals in such an instantaneous way suggests that the future is going to be a partnership between the two across a wide range of industries, not least of which will be Journalism.