Open Journalism: The Guardian deliberates

It is quite uncommon for an advert to leave me speechless. Most are only appealing because they are teasing us into buying a certain product, watching a certain programme or drinking a certain drink. But a recent scroll through YouTube brought me across a real gem of a commercial. One that not only appealed to my desired profession, but also made me think about my future, and the role of our society.

The Guardian newspaper, it is fair to say, has revolutionised itself in the last few years. Groundbreaking reports, a focus on every aspect of the news - from celebrity to foreign affairs - and a greater convergence of all media sources. If I was to name just one of its many successful stories, without a doubt I would suggest its uncovering of the phone-hacking story has shaken, stirred and part-destroyed the newspaper industry, and changed the face of journalism as it is known today.

Critics might call this a blatant promotional trailer for a news organisation which is now second in readership to the new and highly popular I Paper, but I see it as a dedication. The Guardian has dedicated itself to reporting high-quality, ground-breaking news stories to the public, and is dedicated to us the way the Queen is dedicated to her country. Rather than pressing on the current flaws in our badly-damaged press industry, it looks to the future. An integration between newspaper and internet, the latter of which it views with a pinch of salt, suggesting it is a good thing, rather than something to be worried about, as many old, tedious media-types often see it as.

In fact, The Guardian has coined the phrase 'Open Journalism' to describe its new image. Editor Alan Rusbridger leads the campaign for Open Journalism, describing journalism today as a very active process, rather than readers being "passive participants" of Journalism. He reveals that The Guardian hopes to interact more with audiences, using apps, widgets, social networking sites and links to help appeal to new, more diverse audiences.

Whether you read The Guardian or not, it is really worth watching this video to make your own opinions on the state of journalism today, and how journalism might be perceived in the future. Please comment below, I am interested in what others have to think on this subject.

The Guardian 'Open Journalism' Advert 2012

You can also read more on what The Guardian has to say on Open Journalism by following the link. There is also the opportunity for members of the public to go and visit The Guardian offices in a series of workshops at the end of March. After visiting the offices last year on work experience, it was simply breathtaking to see the news rooms and facilities that make The Guardian such a world-class news company. Well worth a visit.

Pictures Courtesy of Google Images

Blog of the Week: This is Alton

When I think of local news, I think of a weekly 'round-robbin' type broadsheet paper circulated across a small area, featuring a list of bereavements, local events and the odd incident involving a horse and a tractor. Well, maybe that is just my paper in in rural Hampshire! Yet, no matter where you are, it is apparent that local news is dwindling. It used to be the essence of communities, with talk of the local 'rag' featuring in many conversations. But with newspapers closing and shutting up shop up and down the country, local news is facing the brunt of a crisis in the media industry.

Which is why this weeks Blog of the Week offered a glimmer of hope to my local area in particular. This is Alton, a website/ blog dedicated to all the local news in my hometown, picks up from where the newspapers stalled. It contains all the latest news, along with various interviews, videos, photos and event listings for Alton.

In just a few minutes, I learnt about a new supermarket being built in the town, details on how to enter a Come Dine With Me (which is currently being filmed in East Hampshire) and the councils plans for the Diamond Jubilee. Completely independent from any media outlet, the website is regularly updated and frequently viewed by residents.

I like that it truly captures the digital era by allowing the reader to share with friends on Facebook and Twitter, and comment on blog posts. The content is of quality journalism, and the advertisements do not blare out at you.

So if you are looking for all the local news from Alton in Hampshire, then 'This is Alton' is for you. Forget paying for the local newspaper, this website truly is a gem in providing the local people with easy access to journalism. Enjoy!

You can check out the website by following the link: http://www.thisisalton.co.uk/

Picture Courtesy of This is Alton.

Previous 'Blog of the Week' posts:
- Mode de la Mode
- Catastrophic Findings

Alex Crawford - a short introduction

Last week, I was lucky and privileged to meet, along with the rest of my journalism class, the award winning journalist and Sky News Special Correspondent Alex Crawford OBE.

Alex, who has won three Royal Television Society journalism awards, is best known for reporting live in Libya during the Arab Spring last year, where she was one of the very few journalists who was able to report, right from the centre of Tripoli in Green Square, on the uprising in the middle east.

Speaking out in front of trainee journalists at the Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent, Alex spoke with sincerity about her work in Libya, describing how she was often in the middle of gunfire. She spoke to rebels with ease, and her reports from inside hospitals and Bab al-Azizia clearly show her determination and skill at her job. Her emotive account touched the hearts of many students in the audience, including myself, as she showed us clips from her award-winning reporting.

The clip I have added with this blog post is just a small taste of the ground-breaking reporting Alex achieved in Libya. Her ambition and approach to reporting on the conflict left the world speechless, and has left many journalists in awe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhc4-6gk9V8 - Just one example of Alex reporting from Libya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzGMug7RMvQ - Satirical rap between Alex and one of the rebels

A big thank you to Alex and her team for all they accomplished in Libya. They truly are a credit to the currently damaged world of Journalism.

*Alex was appearing at the Centre for Journalism for the annual Bob Friend Memorial Lecture, which is dedicated to the late Bob Friend. The lecture also presents an award to one first year journalist who has been awarded a months work placement, and their first year university fees paid for, by Sky News. Well done to Jem Collins who was awarded this years award (despite the Jourknow being shortlisted - no sour grapes!)

Photo Courtesy of The Guardian

You can read more on Alex at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Crawford and http://www.centreforjournalism.co.uk/

Blog of the Week: Catastrophic Findings

This week, the jourknow launches his new feature - Blog of the Week - which every week will feature a blog that the jourknow has stumbled upon. Providing a brief overview of what the blog contains etc, this new feature promises to uncover a variety of interesting and original blog ideas.

This weeks blog: Catastrophic Findings

If you have been reading my New Zealand diaries, following my trip to New Zealand, you will probably have realised I love to travel. I love the food, the different cultures and the climate and surroundings. Before I went on my trip, I happened to talk to someone over Twitter, who was also planning to travel to New Zealand and Australia over Christmas. A coincidence perhaps, that he also travelled to places I have visited. Her name is Ai, and you can follow her through @misochubby

Her blog, Catastrophic Findings, shares some of the same loves I have, featuring an array of posts on food and travels. She "endeavours to capture memories of my travels", and uses photos particularly in telling the story of her adventures.

Her blog has not only helped to reminisce in my adventures, but also made me think about the use of photographs in 'telling the story' of an event, or in her case, a holiday. This is something I have lately been discussing in lectures, and has re-ignited my theory that photos are just as powerful as video or words in conveying a story or news item.

If you do anything today, check out Ai's blog, and view New Zealand, and many other places, through her detailed and fantastic blog.

The link is: http://catastrophicfindings.wordpress.com/

Pictures Courtesy of Ai and Catastrophic Findings