JP Digital Digest: 10 Ways To Use Mobile Reporting

JP Digital Digest: 10 Ways To Use Mobile Reporting.

Some ideas for journalists on the road using crowdsourcing methods together with access to twitter, CoverItLive, YouTube, flickr

3rd Test, day one: England struggle against SA

Responding to the TMS report on England's poor first innings total at Edgbaston, I'm guessing Vaughan won't be dropped before the end of the series, that would be a big change, also remembering South Africa are probably the strongest side in the world at the moment. but if England aren't winning, then he needs runs to keep his place.

But Colly is surely sunk if he doesn't fire in the second innings. I just hope, Freddy can get stuck into the tourists early on day two and we can dig in for the second innings, so show some proper fight and give ourselves a chance of bowling them out to win the game, maybe Monty will be the man on days four and five?

Ambrose needs to hold all his catches and keep getting some half decent runs and maybe he'll get another series, we've chopped and changed so much since Stewart's retirement, we need to give someone a proper run, remembering Chris Read's treatment as a prime example. But Foster and Prior are ready and waiting for the call I'm sure, and clearly at least one will tour.

Sidebottom is Hoggard's successor, a solid, hard-working seamer, Anderson's still has to get important wickets under his belt to convince me.

Sidebtttom's role is not dissimilar to one-Test wonder Mr Pattinson whose inclusion ahead of Tremlett in the selected squad (let alone anyone else) was illogical and very much a hunch-based gamble.

Broad will be around for years to come, he's still young and needs to work on his bowling like anyone his age, his winter tour berth must be assured, as is Simon Jones's if he stays fit (fingers crossed), I think it's only right he proves himself for a full season.

I like Bopara, in theory a like-for-like replacement for Colly, but is he really strong enough to bat at 5 at Test level? And isn't Rob Key just another good county-level bully?

We have Cook, Strauss, KP and Bell all seemingly set, maybe it's time to find a younger proper batting prospect at 5 and let the keeper (?), Flintoff and Broad stiffen the early tail as part of a five-man attack?

Linking out from news articles builds trust

The web was built on links, the modern web is all about relevance and reputation, relevance to the user's interests, and relevance to the content on the page.

In journalistic terms it's a way of showing the workings of a journalist, backing up facts, showing sources, leading the reader on to their own points of interest.

All this enhances the originating website's reputation and the visitors trust of the publisher/brand. Leaving articles as dead ends can leave unanswered questions for readers, there's always plenty of other content online, so losing your audience's interest is like showing them the door.

As The SEO Company's study shows:

"a good number of online news websites are very good at crediting sources with the appropriate link... Offering useful links actually makes visitors more likely to return to see what other interesting websites they might find in the future, a model that sites such as Digg and Fark are built around."

In terms of search engine optimisation, it's great for the Google ranking of a page to link out to related, reliable and trusted sources.

Newspaper industry @ July 2008

Financially times were hard for newspapers even before the economy began to fall over, but Mark Potts' has some wise words for newspapers to remember:

"The printed paper should be a snapshot of what's online [at print time.]"
"Local news is the last unique franchise that newspapers own."
"Let the readers get involved at every opportunity."
"Aggressively offer contextual advertising.”

Jason Kintzler adds on the subject of hyper-local, e-hub style community sites:

there's a huge opportunity for newspapers to harness and distribute more news than ever before. Community newspapers could potentially become the source for everything local, and perhaps beyond.

Mugabe wrestles with the colonial chip on his shoulder

Just be thankful you don't have any oil Mr 'President', or America, and very possibly the UK may well have been in there years ago!

Thanks to Nigel Barlow for spotting this video. He also has an interesting post about a list of Tory MPs along with The Independent newspaper who are profiting from business in Zimbabwe - The pot calling the kettle black?.

What does BBC Local mean for regional press?

There is already some good debate going on about the BBC's new attempt to widen its local video-based coverage across the UK.

Andrew Grant-Adamson writes:

It is worth going back to the source material and looking at BBC’s proposal. Done properly, the scheme could help make local independent news websites more viable. Most of the local content would be made available for embedding (with BBC branding) in both commercial and not-for-profit sites to supplement their own coverage. The BBC also says it would link to coverage by other local news providers.

Competition isn't all bad, regional press shouldn't necessarily have the monopoly on any location, and the BBC would have to work alongside the local press titles rather than it being a blatant race to the story.

But inevitably there will be duplication of coverage, and I can guess where most people will go first given the choice, because the BBC is, well the BBC. For all its faults - and even recent mistakes - it remains one of the most respected news providers across the world.

As the regional newspaper market struggles in the current economic climate to progress its digital output and improve its web offering, the BBC would remain a well-equipped, well-trained and confident provider of local content, backed up by its enormous raft of related and supporting content.

As Roy Greenslade concludes:

There appears to be no compromise. The BBC feels it is acting logically by fulfilling its public service remit. Regional owners are also acting logically by defending their turf. In truth, both reflect the fact that none of us know what the future holds.

Will the BBC's plan help local papers, as Grant-Adamson suggests? Or will it plunge another dagger into the body of dying newspaper companies? I rather think it will be the latter. But the big question, of course, is whether that is really such a calamitous outcome.

As Greenslade rightly points out, nobody knows how the press, let alone the regional press in particular will survive over the next few years. This potentially adds an additional burden as the economic downturn and advertising slump leave businesses, aka potential advertisers and the public, aka potential newspaper buyers look to spend every penny wisely.

There are pros and cons to the BBC's plans, but if they do get the go-ahead, there should be some constructive positive discussion with the regional press titles in order to make best use of the Beeb's content and strong link-backs to existing local press's online coverage.

English cricket shake-up: more Twenty20 anyone?

It's madness, if this report Cricinfo on a planned shake-up of the cricket in England is true.

Based on this article from The Daily Telegraph:

English cricket is poised for its most radical overhaul in more than a century, according to proposals being presented to the counties this week by England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke.

Three randomly chosen divisions with no promotion/relegation for first class cricket in England?

Cannot surely be true, where's the sense. How would that benefit Test cricket or the traditional game, which cannot be lost at all costs.

If splitting the divisions is the only way to reduce the quantity but and heighten the quality of county champs, then 3 regional divisions, (keeping local derby's) with top 8 (top 2 in each plus best two 3rd places teams) playing off at end of season for champion etc.

Twenty20 - although a great spectacle, and financially brining a financial boom for the game - is still fairly new, and no one knows whether interest will plateau/tail-off as currently every country is flogging this short form of the game for all its worth.

If everyone sets up IPL style competitions, some are going to end up embarrassingly weak?

There's a sensible balance somewhere, but the over-riding problem that the counties won't vote themselves out of existence means a only smaller pool of teams in England would have the most benefit for everyone.

Newspaper site redesign: The Washington Times

At first glance, aesthetically pleasing on the eye. focussing on more imagery than text, but strong images convey just as much, sometimes more than headlines.

Clean, clear, with a simple events calendar and solid use of multimedia.

An impressive element is the animated initial featured content area, described by Web 2.0h...really?:

This is all smart and satisfying stuff. But the money shot here is the semitransparent Dig Deeper thingbat that lies over the main image. Click on it and the entire main image flips over like a playing card. On the “other side” you’ll find either related media (pictures, videos), themes (topics) or stories.

Although as commenters point out, this use of Flash, may make the content inaccessible...?!

WAN 2008 shows way forward for newspaper industry

The 2008 World Association of Newspapers (taking place in Sweden, 1-4 June) reports on positive findings for newspaper readership and audience - "global newspaper sales were up +2.57 percent over the year, and had increased +9.39 percent over the past five years" - but there are important messages for news providers online.

The Guardian's Roy Greenslade reported on the snappily titled session: "The new consumption model for news: why the old routine is over for the 18-34-year-olds" showing that young adults are overwhelmed by news and information from various media, 'news fatigue' is cited.

Also being time poor, they crave more "good quality in-depth reporting".

Associated Press have taken on board this feedback and put together a more integrated and convergent news model:

"1-2-3 filing," starting with a news alert for breaking news, followed by a short present-tense story for the web. The third step is to add details and to format stories in ways most appropriate for various platforms

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Quote from Roy Greenslade reporting from WAN 2008.

Greenslade also reports that "The old newspaper model is destined to die - so get over it!" Dean Singleton, chief executive MediaNews Group, adds:

"It's time to get over it and move to a print model that matches the times."

The "local and deep" rather than "broad but shallow" point is a telling image of one big problem regional/local newspaper websites face, trying to do too much with their own resources, spreading time and skills too thinly.

Inevitably some content or services fall short in terms of quality and the audience finds better sources. Quality content will shine through, doing less, but well is worth far more in terms of long term audience retention and revenue.

I think those inside the industry all knew this type of stinging but honest comment by Singleton was hitting the nail on the head a few years ago, but now it rings truer and louder than ever:

Singleton says that print has a chance in the future "if we discard our arrogance and our old ideas"

Cricket: behind closed doors

I've just read Peter Roebucks' stunning attack (Cricinfo.com, 16 April 2008) on the ICC and their recent meeting and general pitiful attempts to steer the game.

Once choice excerpt - there are many sharp shards of prose aimed at those presiding over the game at one of it's most important crossroads - discusses the issue of Zimbabwe's cricket hierarchy:

Cunning to the core, [Peter] Chingoka has done deals with the BCCI, and votes for it at every opportunity. India owes him "big time". Like his mentor and master Robert Mugabe, he knows how to play his cards, talking about colonialism and intransigent whites, spreading rumours when it suits him. He is a pitiful figure who will not survive the return of democracy and the rule of law to his country, should that happy day ever dawn...

After years of sickening misrule in Zimbabwean cricket, the ICC finally asked KPMG to undertake a proper forensic audit. Not even Chingoka's supporters could prevent it...

But it did uncover serious financial irregularities. Part of any board's duty is to ensure that money is properly used. ZCU has been given tens of millions of dollars. Why are the grounds in poor shape? Why are the players paid a pittance? Why have tournaments been cancelled? Where has the money gone?

So why is the ICC not holding Zimbabwe to account? Why are the members letting these financial irregularities go unpunished? It's their duty to the game and the players who give yet suffer the most.

Steven Price wrote (Cricinfo.com, 19 March 2008), following the ICC's statement on the KPMG report into the finances of Zimbabwe Cricket:

One former Test played laughed loudly when he read the decision. "So, there are 'serious financial irregularities' but nobody is to blame and, in effect, the ICC are saying that they don't really matter. These guys just don't want to know the truth and don't care what's happening out here. It suits them to pretend all's well and that's just what they do."

The ICC have always been known for their non-committal fence-sitting approach to many issues on and off the pitch, but currently those in charge are overseeing a financially bountiful but morally questionable period in the games history.

Read Roebuck's article and the reader comments that follow to see one viewpoint on the impact of the current cricketing superpowers hold on the game.

The state of county cricket

Following on from Cricinfo's report: England ponders six-region option, everyone knows in their head (if not their heart) the current county set up is too weak to really squeeze the level of quality, whether its 4-day or the basis of a Twenty20 content.

It's not going to be an easy change, years of tradition and memories, tears will be shed, but surely common and financial sense say it is the way to go?

No offence to all the pros currently performing, but 10 regional sides would force our current first-class set-up to work harder and the viewing audiences along with the England team should reap the rewards.

To twitter or not to twitter

The key to twitter's success, is tying it in with networks like facebook. The market for these sort of social tools is becoming crowded, so they either have to be pure simple genius enabling the masses or a hardcore niche audience, and ideally able to work with existing networks and environments.

BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones writes:

But I'm not convinced that Twitter is really going to spread in the way Facebook did, beyond the digerati into millions of people's lives. What's more, I'm struggling to understand the business model.

Making a reasonably successful tool a revenue winner can be key to its lifespan, but there's not much to twitter, so adding commercial twits might start to turn off users?

Twitter works for some people, others don't get it or feel the need to document their life, which is why not everyone in the world keeps a written diary.

Not sure if twitter will grow in the same way as facebook, but its got a decent chance now it can be integrated.

Sub editors sacrificed

From Media Guardian:

"Archant has confirmed to staff that it will employ 10 advertising designers to lay out pages" commented Stuart McCreery, the managing director at Archant Suffolk.

Advertising designers are not trained to sub edit pages of editorial content and are not journalists (the clue is in their job title), who are Archant trying to fool here? Financial saving wins over editorial quality.

"Staff are now applying for positions within the new structure and the next phase of the project is to ensure that those with the right skills are appointed to the appropriate roles," he added.

Like sub editors?

Journalism in the modern age

Bill Thompson writing for the BBC, discusses teaching journalism and studying news consumption in the modern age.

A worrying/challenging/exciting time depending on how you look at it.

"The writing is on the wall for journalism and journalists says regular columnist Bill Thompson."

Meanwhile Paul Bradshaw lists tools and resources for the modern journalist to source and keep tabs on news online, including RSS readers, social networks, news alerts and related content.

"Here are a few tools and tricks that might improve your hunt for stories."

Meanwhile Jeff Jarvis talks about how the press itself is portrayed in reported news.

"One problem I’ve had with much discussion about the future of news lately is that it’s too press-centric."

Also worth checking out: The Telegraph Tech blog scans Ofcom's findings on how we use the media:

"the Government Office of Communications, began its review of the future of public service broadcasting today with the publication of Ofcom’s Second Public Service Broadcasting Review."

Local newspapers, local information

Howard Owens article on a local paper in the Us being overshadowed by a small news aggregating, information resource shows the difficult situation local newspapers are in.

Howards' piece focuses on the Watertown Daily Times' dropping their pay wall which acted as a big barrier to competing with the local newzjunky.com site that offers linked news and a local information resource.

There's only a real case for paid content in financial and niche interest content, as is shown by the current number of successful pay walls still standing.

My point would be that having a strong, up-to-date and relevant community database is vital to all local newspapers. most of the information should be kicking around the newsroom in some form.

Putting it together in an easy to navigate format for users will not only gain page impressions and increased audience, but enhance trust and relevance in the multi-platform publisher alongside their news output.

Linking within news stories

Responding to Paul Bradshaw's poser: when writing for the web do you think you should include links within an article, or leave it till afterwards?

Well I'm not sure there is a completely fail-safe right or wrong way?

Links within the story make logical sense, as adding them at the end may mean the read has forgotten their purpose or relativity.

Although linking at the end lets the reader read the story without distraction.

But if there are no links, then the stories become dead ends on the website, and that page becomes an exit page rather - BUT the external links take users away anyway?

On our site we add related internal links and useful documents in clearly spaced blocks either at a pertinent point near the top or the end of a story. But specific relevant links go within the flow.

Making money from online news

Paul Bradshaw's excellent series on the 21st century newsroom concluded with a round-up of how money can be made in the current online news climate.

A rapid development of online media has seen the newspaper industry struggle to keep up as the internet developed into multimedia and social-networking, but is now attempting to claw its way back with web2.0 redesigns and new business models aimed at maximising a multi platform approach to publishing.

This is easier said than done, but the nationals have taken the lead by improving their web offering by making sites more user friendly in terms of interaction and as a source of multimedia content.

The user and content are kings online, as there is a more level playing field than any other media, choice means online news sites must be lean, on the ball as well as clever about their revenue-making opportunities.

No one is making serious money from online news sites, there is no tried and tested business model.

But gradually as Paul points out we are figuring out what the customer wants, and bringing the audience and advertisers closer, in order to maximise value for money to the client and give the audience a more relevant commercial offering.

It is a steep learning curve for all inside the newspaper industry, as doing the 21st century news operation properly as the 2nd dotcom bubble grows means starting from scratch in some terms of technical and IT structures.

In order to maximise the examples and areas you rightly mention, companies have to really look at how they get content onto different platforms and how effectively and efficiently their advertising platforms work as inevitably money needs to be saved wherever possible.

Integration is key in terms of a multimedia approach to content, advertising and staffing. If your staff aren't ready or wholly willing to jump on the multimedia news publishing train it will hold up any progress.

Understanding RSS in plain English

The Commoncraft team have put together some great visual walk-throughs of webby terms and online services and tools.

Here's their explanation of RSS or Really Simple Syndication, to follow up they have even out together some FAQs:

BBC goes 2.0 beta-style

The new beta BBC homepage ticks all the customisation and functionality boxes with its new design and widget-driven layout.

Choose what, how and where your content is displayed. Choose your location to specify content, e.g. weather.

Apparently embedded video will be part of the finished product.

The retro clock and colour palettes work really well.

The features panel to the right will by all accounts reduce in size as it does overwhelm the page somewhat.

All in all, a decent user experience and great level of user control, but not losing the BBC's straightforward delivery of content.

the changing colour palette when features are selected is eye-catching, but not wholly necessary in its delivery.

They chosen colour should at least have some relation to a section of content within the site, or be less of a visual jump on the whole page.

Richard Titus (BBC's Acting Head of User Experience) and Sam England give more in depth behind the scenes backstory and analysis.

Here's a screenshot of the current layout and general personalisation options:

Netvibes going ginger

My start page of choice netvibes.com is about to upgrade to its ginger stage allowing users to create a time line of events and shared experiences, integrating more openly like a social network and make itself cross-compatible allowing developers to create widgets for the likes of facebook, myspace, Vista desktop gadgets and the iPhone.

I like netvibes' neat layout and simple way it lets me read related RSS feeds of content in tabs, as well as the usual widgets. It works pretty much the same as iGoogle and pageflakes, so its down to personal preference. See a video preview of netvibes' ginger features:


Netvibes Ginger: Add content from Maurice Svay on Vimeo.