Murrow Awards for best Web sites
November 27, 2003
This year’s Radio-Television News Directors Association’s Edward R. Murrow Award winners for best Web sites include:
• TV Large Market: WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL — www.TBO.com
• TV Small Market: WQAD-TV, Moline, IL — www.WQAD.com
• Radio Large Market: WTOP-AM, Washington, DC — www.wtopnews.com
• Radio Small Market: New Hampshire Public Radio, Concord, NH — www.NHPR.ORG and www.MyNH.ORG
Free holiday recipes archive
November 26, 2003
The fourth most popular topic that people follow with The New York Times News Tracker is “Recipes.” As a marketing ploy, The New York Times is offering readers free access to an an archive of favorite holiday recipes from The Times Archives, “from a Thanksgiving feast with Alice Waters, to an oyster extravaganza with Eric Ripert.”
What blogs can do for you
November 25, 2003
California politics blogger Dan Weintraub was at The Poynter Institute recently to participate in an election coverage workshop. He spent several hours talking to the group about his Weblog and what it’s done for him and the Sacramento Bee, where he works as an editorial columnist, writes Poynter’s Julie Moos in Lost Remote. Among the things he says its done for him (and thus can do for you):
•Built readership for the website
•Created buzz about the paper
•Spoke to a niche audience without alienating the broader readership
•Expanded audience beyond circulation (or viewing) area
•Created a feedback loop that brought him more sources and tips
•Lured readers to the print product
•Connected with a younger demographic
•Allowed him to try a different writing style and develop more consistent writing habits.
Betrayal in the ranks
November 24, 2003
The Denver Post recently published a very, very impressive investigation of sexual assault and domestic abuse in the U.S. military in partnership with 9News. The 3-day series prompted members of Congress to call for an investigation how the military handles sexual assault and domestic violence.
The online package is a model example of what a converged project should look like on the Web — packed with online extras including audio, video, victim profiles, slideshows and relevant documents. This really shows how well the Web’s depth can be used to enhance a story.
And for a story like this, that’s garnering national attention, having a strong Web package can really make a big different, as most folks around the country will be reading it online.
Top news sites for Oct. 2003
November 24, 2003
Here’s the Nielsen//NetRatings top online current events & global news destinations, at home and work, for October 2003.
Read more »
Murrow Awards for best Web sites
November 23, 2003
This year’s Radio-Television News Directors Association’s Edward R. Murrow Award winners for best Web sites include:
• TV Large Market: WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL — www.TBO.com
• TV Small Market: WQAD-TV, Moline, IL — www.WQAD.com
• Radio Large Market: WTOP-AM, Washington, DC — www.wtopnews.com
• Radio Small Market: New Hampshire Public Radio, Concord, NH — www.NHPR.ORG and www.MyNH.ORG
CBS News: JFK Remembered
November 23, 2003
CBS’ interactive look back at the life of John F. Kennedy and the day he was killed on Nov. 22, 1963, includes a timeline, slide shows and a clickable Flash map of the Dallas area where he was shot, with related video links embedded.
Forums are 1/3 of Advance.net traffic
November 21, 2003
?Advance.net president Jeff Jarvis said at the Online News Association conference that “forums are a third of our traffic, up to 100 million page views a month, up to 1 million page views in one day in one market in just one forum. In forums, the audience exchanges news, information, and viewpoints. They also make connections. They give us content.”
Defining convergence
November 21, 2003
The term “convergence” comes up all the time, but it means different things in different contexts. So Northwestern professor Rich Gordon has tried defining the various meanings of the word in a journalism context. His definitions:
Ownership convergence: “At the highest level of today’s media conglomerates, “convergence” means the ownership of multiple content or distribution channels.”
Tactical convergence: The most common model is a partnership between a TV station and a newspaper, in most cases (but not all) under separate ownership. In most markets, the primary motivation for — and initial results of — these partnerships is promotional.
Structural convergence: Job descriptions and organizational structures change. TV’s sit in print newsrooms and print reporters go on-air, among other things.
Storytelling convergence: Individual journalists to report a story using multiple media tools.
CNET leads nytimes.com
November 21, 2003
Declan McCullagh of CNET’s News.com has the lead story on NYTimes.com: “Congress Poised for Vote on Anti-Spam Bill,” by Declan McCullagh. Of course, that’s what partners are for, and nytimes.com regularly leads with AP stories. Still, as J.D. Lasica points out, “Glad to see the Times realize that offering material from non-Times reporters on its front page, and in such a prominent place, does not dilute its brand and, in fact, better serves its readers.”