In a post well worth reading Adam Westbrook as he shares intelligent thoughts on what the journalist of the future will look like. He talks about the invasion of PR guff and the failure to reject it. Most of all he cites the lack of time journalists have to do proper journalism these days.
So what does Adam think the future journalist will have to do? Everything and more; tomorrow’s journalist needs his journalistic skills plus an entrepreneurial edge.
Here’s a brief summary of Adam’s list
The Jack of All Trades
Tomorrow’s journalist does a bit of everything; reporting, video journalist, photo journalism, audio journalism and eve interactive design.
The Web Designer
Tomorrow’s journalist will be a dab hand at XHTML and CSS. These skills are needed when it comes to presenting their work online and therefore how much future journalist can charge for his work.
The Collaborator
Tomorrow’s journalist will aspire to meet Charlie Beckett’s Networked Journalism.
The Specialist
Tomorrow’s journalist copes with the fact that internet gives general news away for free and the solution is to go niche. Tomorrow’s journalist builds her own audience.
The Flexible Adapter
Tomorrow’s journalist is a survivor. They will have adapted as necessary to cope with the recession and the enforced evolution the trade is currently going through.
The Entrepreneur
Tomorrow’s journalist is a freelancer who is immune from the rubbish being washed through the newsroom from the PR industry. The future journalist will make her mark by discovering stories but also generating new ideas on how to sell them.
The Storyteller
Tomorrow’s journalist cannot be restrained by house rules and will not be afraid to break the rules.
What do you think? Do you agree with Adam? Is this what tomorrow’s journalist will look like? Is the PR industry nothing but guff?
July 24, 2009
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