Backpack Journalism
May 16, 2008 on 3:33 pm | In Local, Media |
Just read a really cool piece in Editor & Publisher on the new breed of mobile journalists (known as “mojos”). Unfortunately, the article is only accessible online if you are a E&P subscriber, so you’ll have to take my word for it that it will change the way I work.
Actually, I’ve been moving in this direction for some time. While at the NYPA convention in Albany last month, I attended a seminar on backpack journalism. The concept is pretty much what it sounds like. With advances in technology, it’s now possible to work from almost anywhere. Plus, what better way to serve the interests of your readers than to get out of the office and look for news at street level?
A typical backpack journo rides around on a bicycle or in a modest car and carries with him a wireless-capable laptop, digital camera, tripod and cell phone. The LJ has provided me a with a pretty good camera and I already own the other four items. That means I’m ready. Watch out.
The advantages of this approach are many: you can stumble upon news, write a story or take some video and have it up on the web within minutes.
I’ve already practiced what I call tote-bag journalism, as when I videoed a couple of guys paddle surfing last September at the Salisbury Town Grove and filmed part of the Salisbury Memorial Day festivities a year ago. The difference is that now I can upload the clip quickly via a wireless connection on my Macbook.
Of course, I also experimented with live blogging the town meeting earlier this month on the purchase of land in Salisbury for a new transfer station. I got positive feedback from a woman who walked up to me in the Stop & Shop and said she loved the immediacy and informality of it.
As soon as the weather turns nice (Monday?), I’m going to make a practice of bicycling to work. I will pack my journo tools and see what happens. And I’ll even save some bucks on gasoline. Wish me luck.
P.S. Eat your heart out, Sam Herrick.
P.P.S. Sam is the business manager for the Region One School District. During the warmer months, he regularly bicycles from his home in Sheffield to the office in Falls Village. I’d say it’s 15 miles each way. Iron Man Sam is amazing.
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Interesting Terry. MoJos. Thanks for the heads up on the ( bike ) path journalism’s on.
Comment by Terrence McCarthy — May 16, 2008 #
I had no idea Terry that there was a name for what I am doing, downloading photos to my laptop in the car, cropping the pictures, uploading them and designing and writing a story between appointments.
The downside? The backpack journalist is on call 24/7
Comment by Dan — May 17, 2008 #
How true, Dan. On the other hand, you are not tied to the office. It could develop into a great journalistic paradox (or paradigm): liberated but tethered.
Comment by Terry — May 17, 2008 #
Terry, this reminds me of a CNN segment with Anderson Cooper on the start of his career. Despite all his connections, he couldn’t break into the business, so he got his own camera and tripod and headed off to Somalia, or wherever, freelance. Shopped his stories. Found his mojo. Journalists should be intrepid and original. This is a good development.
Comment by Peter Halle — May 17, 2008 #
Peter,
I agree. There’s also a matter of simple economics. Even though it can cost $10k to outfit a mojo with the best mobile equipment, it pays dividends.
As daily newspapers struggle, do they really need a staff of professional photographers? They do fine work, but it may be a luxury the papers can no longer afford. As far I’m concerned, all reporters, even those at big-city dailies, should carry a camera along with their note pads.
Comment by Terry — May 17, 2008 #