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“Segregation, determination, demonstration,
Integration, aggravation,
Humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of Confusion
That’s what the world is today….” #

With respect to The Temptations, it’s also not too unlike the state of the newsroom these days. For two hundred-some-odd years newspapers have operated on the same basic model, with some changes made to the logistics and assignment of responsibility. The addition of online editors, producers and designers to the mix creates great consternation in the newsroom, those ‘whiz kids” as some condescendingly called them — new additions and fellow co-workers who saw an opportunity to do something different and get in on the transformation of the business. #

The story-to-print reporting process pretty much happens like one thinks it would. The reporter, with some advisement from an editor, researches, interviews and writes a story. From there it goes through several editors for revision and then into the production cycle onto a page. With the addition of the online staff, the story at some point is forked and a version created for Web producers to add to the site. With some further editing for Web optimization the story is ready; the work of the Web producer not too dissimilar to that of the copy editor. In fact, they are closely alike, except for that their final product is on different mediums. #

Current economics are propelling newsrooms to streamline their staffs, and copy editing departments are taking the hit — in some cases, disproprtionatly. Papers and Web sites are paying the price for decreased staff. The reasonable solution of the print side/Web side dilemma is that real integration lies in cross-training copy editors and Web editors. Copy editors have to learn Web production and Web editors must become copy editors. The future newsroom is more than just reporters who know how to Twitter and shoot photos, but in the production staff itself; copy editors, designers and graphic artists who can edit and produce all day long with the goal in mind of a final version intended for the print edition. #

Newspapers started their Phase 1 transition with the addition of a Web site and staff. Phase 2 brought tools, training and integration to the reporting staff, and that’s where most newsrooms are now. As economics demand more efficient newsrooms, Phase 3 must be about tools, training and integration to the production staff to increase the quality of Web content. #

This is a pretty off-the-cuff analysis of newsroom logistics and organization, but a vital part of the conversation I think should be taking place as newsrooms move forward. #

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   admin

   October 12, 2009 at 8:44 pm

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