Читать книгу Feature Writing and Reporting - Jennifer Brannock Cox - Страница 37

Bringing back citizens’ trust in reporters is not going to be easy, but we can start by using new feature storytelling methods to seek truth and connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Poynter—a journalism education and media watchdog organization—found that while trust in the media may be low, people do have more confidence in their local news organizations, which are more accessible to the community and better address citizens’ needs. A survey conducted by the organization found that 76% of Americans have “a great deal” or a “fair amount” of confidence in local television news and 73% have confidence in their local newspapers.¹⁸ Margaret Sullivan, a media columnist for The Washington Post, spent time talking with average citizens in a small town in Upstate New York and found that people did trust the media but were frustrated because they did not feel represented or failed to see their concerns being addressed in news stories.

In the Digital Age, the audience holds the fate of journalism in its hands. What stories will they click on and share in their social media feeds? How can journalists communicate effectively with people online who can publicly monitor their commitment to truth and thorough reporting? How can journalists see new storytelling tools as opportunities for connecting with audiences rather than as hindrances to their work? In this text, we will explore these questions by learning feature techniques that encourage innovative reporting and writing. Throughout the book, you will learn to:

 Tell engaging feature stories that resonate with audiences and prompt readers to share your work.

 Immerse yourself in the reporting experience to learn more about the story and the sources you are relying on, as well as the issues they face.

 Find ways to become a member of your community by shifting your focus from identifying problems to seeking solutions to difficult problems.

 Connect with community members to find out what is important to them and include them in the reporting process.

 Use photos, videos, audio, social media and an array of new tools to tell stories in different ways that appeal to your audience.

Times are changing, and the ways we practice journalism are changing too. It is time to open ourselves up to new ways of telling feature stories in the Digital Age.