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Reporters carrying cameras?
I'm working with a few reporters and editors in my newsroom examining the possibility of reporters carrying cameras for video and stills -- because we are a Guild paper, we haven't done any of this before, but our new contract could change that. We've worked up a list of questions that I think could help anyone thinking about doing the same thing.
Answer any of the questions below if you have time. I'm hoping we can start a conversation about this.
- How is the processing of the images handled: Who does it? How does it fit into the flow of work? What are the challenges?
-What newsroom personnel are shooting stills or video, outside of the photo/video staff (sports, cops, online reporters)?
-What types of stories/events are they shooting?
-What cameras and other equipment do they use? How did you choose it? In hindsight, would you change that decision? Why?
-How did you train those people? Who did the training? In hindsight, how would you change that training? Why?
- How long after training was your staff proficient at shooting and processing video? What were the major problem areas in the learning curve?
-What have been key successes/failures in your initiative to have reporters shooting stills/video?
-In the future, do you plan on adding other non-visual newsroom staff to this group?
-If your newspaper is covered by a Guild contract, did you need to add contract language/memo of agreement to enable this initiative? In hindsight, would you change that language?
- How did the broader introduction of video and photo equipment change photographers' roles?
- Are reporters evaluated or otherwise held accountable for the quality of their video and/or photos? What’s the standard, and how is it upheld?
- What effect did these changes have breaking news coverage, specifically?
- How, if at all, has the quantity of photos and videos changed? How do you promote them, and what do readers think of them?
-If some/all of these questions don't apply to your operation, could you suggest a mid-sized newspaperthat might have insight on these matters?
Answer any of the questions below if you have time. I'm hoping we can start a conversation about this.
- How is the processing of the images handled: Who does it? How does it fit into the flow of work? What are the challenges?
-What newsroom personnel are shooting stills or video, outside of the photo/video staff (sports, cops, online reporters)?
-What types of stories/events are they shooting?
-What cameras and other equipment do they use? How did you choose it? In hindsight, would you change that decision? Why?
-How did you train those people? Who did the training? In hindsight, how would you change that training? Why?
- How long after training was your staff proficient at shooting and processing video? What were the major problem areas in the learning curve?
-What have been key successes/failures in your initiative to have reporters shooting stills/video?
-In the future, do you plan on adding other non-visual newsroom staff to this group?
-If your newspaper is covered by a Guild contract, did you need to add contract language/memo of agreement to enable this initiative? In hindsight, would you change that language?
- How did the broader introduction of video and photo equipment change photographers' roles?
- Are reporters evaluated or otherwise held accountable for the quality of their video and/or photos? What’s the standard, and how is it upheld?
- What effect did these changes have breaking news coverage, specifically?
- How, if at all, has the quantity of photos and videos changed? How do you promote them, and what do readers think of them?
-If some/all of these questions don't apply to your operation, could you suggest a mid-sized newspaperthat might have insight on these matters?
Tags: cameras, gear, mobile, photography, reporters
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sheri Monk on -
You know, I think you should contact John White at the Winnipeg Free Press. 204-697-7000
That paper went from being primitive to launching an online personality very quickly, despite a strong union. Everyone, as far as I know, had to come on board with photos and video.
To launch that aspect at your camp, all I can suggest is making it as fun as possible, with prizes perhaps, for best blooper, best news video, etc.
Once the photos are downloaded, I would have senior photogs go over them to look for errors and provide suggesions. Processing should be left to editors or photogs to minimize burden on the folks who then have to write about it.
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Permalink Reply by Cody Switzer on -
Thanks for the help, Sheri.
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