To Converge or Not to Converge

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To Converge or Not to Converge?

• That is no longer the question!
• Nora Paul UM SJMC - INMS

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Convergence v. Integration

• Convergence
• Adaptive evolution of superficially similar
  structures
• Moving toward union or uniformity
• Integration
• Bringing into equal membership in society or an
  organization
• The sum of the processes by which the developing
  parts of an organism are formed into a functional
  and structural whole
• Being formed into a whole by the addition or
  combination of parts or elements

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• Media convergence is something that is happening
  to the audience.

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Why this is no longer the question

• No more mono-media
• Radio Locator lists over 10,000 radio station
  sites
• http//www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/home
• Over 1,000 public radio stations in US and Canada
• New competition
• Geo-barriers disappear (live broadcasting)
  http//www.publicradiofan.com/
• Redband http//www.redband.com/about/programs.html
  
• Opportunity to reach new audiences and augment
  your services
• Your audience expects to find you online

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Pew Research Center Study 1998
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New media audience characteristics

• Time shifters
• Interacters / contributors
• Multi-appliance users
• Action takers
• Idiosyncratic
• Time deprived
• Growing use of online news

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User Motivations (usage types v user
demographics)

• Single mission
• Quickies
• Do it again
• Just the facts
• Loitering
• Information, please
• Surfing

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Changes Required in Thinking

• From mass to niche media
• From story-telling to story-making
• From closed media to open media
• From listeners to learners

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Qualities of Public Radio Reporting
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What can you provide online (that you cant on
radio)?
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The Questions Are

• How to move beyond brochure-ware
• How to incorporate different media elements
• WNYCs On the Medias transcripts
  http//www.wnyc.org/new/talk/onthemedia/otmindex.h
  tml
• How to create multiple media news packages
• NPRs Specials http//www.npr.org/news/specials/r
  esponse/
• MPR packages ie Remembering Jim Crow
  http//www.americanradioworks.com/features/remembe
  ring/index.html
• How to distinguish original content
• APRNs Iditarod http//www.aprn.org/index.cfm?x83
  6

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The Questions Are

• How to leverage media options
• WITF Responds http//www.witf.org/temps/TV/wtc_re
  sponse.htm
• How to provide interactivity
• KUMN Discussion Boards and Email links
  http//www.kunm.org/cgi-local/kunm.pl?seccommunit
  yfilmessages/community_topics.shtml
• WHYYs missed opportunity http//whyy.org/terror.
  html
• How to effectively cross-promote content
• How to provide follow-up
• WITFs Smart Talk http//www.witf.org/temps/TV/sm
  arttalk.shtml

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The Questions Are

• How to focus on local concerns / info.
• KQEDs Special Coverage on Terrorism
• http//www.kqed.org/
• How to guide and direct
• KBCs Public NewsRoom
• http//www.knba.org/
• How to offer personalization
• WNYCs On the Media e-mail newsletters
  http//www.wnyc.org/new/talk/onthemedia/newsletter
  s.html
• How to develop a unique look and feel
• How to manage multi-media archiving

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Innovative Reporting

• Too Solid Flesh new story form
• http//www.helsinki-hs.net/
• Spirit of White Earth multiple media
  http//www.startribune.com/spirit/
• U Street in Focus multi-media
  http//www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/photo/blackhi
  story/
• 360degrees new navigation
• http//www.360degrees.org/
• Waterfront Renaissance community weighing-in
  http//waterfront.heraldnet.com/
• PBS
• Who Cares open media
• http//www.pbs.org/fredfriendly/whocares/
• American High do-it
• http//www.pbs.org/americanhigh/

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Challenges for ltradiogt journalists

• Thinking multi-media
• Reporting using multiple media
• Providing guide and direct services
• Collaborating
• Changing the story development track

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The Ultimate Challenge

• The danger lies not in exploring this new
  territory it lies in leaving the old homestead
  unattended.
• - David Giovannoni
• Without tradition art is a flock of sheep
  without a shepherd. Without innovation, it is a
  corpse. - Winston Churchill

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