Online Journalism Have You Got What It Takes? by Michael D. Dorsher, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Strengths of Online Journalism Interactivity Interactivity Immediacy Immediacy In-depth In-depth International International

The Challenges of Interactivity You must be able to see all sides of a story. You must be able to see all sides of a story. Tell nonfiction stories in a nonlinear fashion. Example Tell nonfiction stories in a nonlinear fashion. Example Example Remain open to critiques from users and responsive to their needs/requests. Remain open to critiques from users and responsive to their needs/requests. Be able to "chat" live online, like a talk-show host. Be able to "chat" live online, like a talk-show host.

The Challenges of Interactivity Carry along asynchronous discussions on issues you report on. Carry along asynchronous discussions on issues you report on. Monitor Web sites and online discussions for tips on beats. Monitor Web sites and online discussions for tips on beats. Help plan, implement and work with generation after generation of: Help plan, implement and work with generation after generation of: l Software l Hardware l Routines l Bosses and co-workers l Site designs Example Example

The Challenges of Immediacy You must do everything faster in online journalism. You must do everything faster in online journalism. Continually work under tight deadline pressure. Continually work under tight deadline pressure. Solve problems of technology, time and distance. Solve problems of technology, time and distance. Have a strong ethical foundation Have a strong ethical foundation l Online Ethics, a Poynter Institute presentation Online Ethics Online Ethics l

Challenges of Going In-depth You’ll need greater expertise, tenacity and time. Example You’ll need greater expertise, tenacity and time. Example Example See all kinds of stories, not just those dictated by our current space-and-time driven "media logic." Example See all kinds of stories, not just those dictated by our current space-and-time driven "media logic." Example Example Develop stories from under-covered communities. Example Develop stories from under-covered communities. Example Example Marry written words with still pictures, audio and video. Example Marry written words with still pictures, audio and video. ExampleExample

Meeting the Challenges of an International Audience Employers will want you to be able to write and speak more than one language. Example Employers will want you to be able to write and speak more than one language. ExampleExample Be able to think globally (and spur people to act locally, as civic journalism moves online). Example Be able to think globally (and spur people to act locally, as civic journalism moves online). Example Example

Meeting the Challenges of an International Audience You will need greater knowledge of geography, including knowing other nations' politics. You will need greater knowledge of geography, including knowing other nations' politics. Work around the clock. Work around the clock. l There's a "deadline every minute" online, and it's always "prime time" somewhere in the world. Example Example