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Video adds more snap to local news
Published Friday, May 30, 2008
Photo by The Daily Journal
Jeff Hage
I had a crusty old journalism professor once tell me newspaper reporters shouldn’t just tell readers the news, they have to show it to them. They do so, he said, through descriptive writing that appeals to the senses.
He was right, of course.
Good writing shows and tells. But, I wonder what he might say about the advantages the Internet has brought to the doorstep of modern newspaper journalism.
Today we have the tools to stream video, link Web pages, post reader comments and feedback, and allow readers access to our news archives. Journalism today is as much about looking for oneself, finding additional sources of information, and responding to news, as it is about reporters showing and telling.
That’s why the Daily Journal has been working hard to expand another exciting feature of our Web site.
You may or may not have noticed that the Daily Journal online has, over the past few months, started to offer video clips of selected news stories.
These clips are intended to “enhance” our coverage of local issues and community events.
I say enhance because we don’t wish to detract from our newspaper coverage and certainly don’t want to discourage readers from reading our paper. The addition of video will enable us to enhance those stories that may leave readers thinking, “hey, that sounds interesting, I’d like to see that.”
With the addition of video streaming to our host of tools, The Journal hopes to enhance stories with video news clips that add to our writing in the same way a colorful photo does.
We’re no television station, but we realize that community newspapers don’t need to miss out on all the advantages of modern technology.
Our video galleries can be found on the Daily Journal Web site at www.fergusfallsjournal.com. On the left hand side of the site you will see a link to our video of the day. All of our video productions can be found in that area of the Web site.
Let me know what you think of the addition. Is it helping us cover the community better? Is it adding to our stories in a way that makes reading our paper more worthwhile? Let me know if you are experiencing any technical problems, too. It’s my goal to make the video offerings on our site as “user-friendly” as possible.
If you have a story that’s as much worth showing as it is telling, e-mail me. I can be reached by email at jeff.hage@fergusfallsjournal.com.
Though I agree with my old professor about writing that snaps, crackles and pops, I also know the value video can add to our community coverage.
I hope you come along and enjoy the ride.
Jeff Hage is the managing editor of the Daily Journal. Reach him at jeff.hage@fergusfallsjournal.com.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This so-called newspaper is nothing more than a waste of space and my time. The editor finally set some standards for posters several weeks ago and immediately failed to follow his own standards. Comments which violate published standards are allowed to remain while comments which follow those same standards are removed. I know I said it before but this time I quit for good and I will not come back. I urge any other posters who feel the same to quit also.
Posted by ffprofessor (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm with you chipmunk.
Posted by sweetpea (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the email heads up chip, I quit too.
Posted by mplsdude (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hear you chip, ditto
Posted by steve1955 (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks for the email chipmunk, but I already quit two weeks ago. But what the hell, I quit again.
Posted by Vampire (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:31 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whats the difference you cant post what you want anyway unless you prase the paper.
Posted by tracy (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree 100% when a poster talks about killing people and its not removed its time to leave.
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)
and it cant happen soon enough.
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 8:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good the world and this site will be better off without chipmunk and his comminyest friends.We who love God can return.
Posted by Paul (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree chipmunk, somebody tell me the adress of that other site in Fergus.
Posted by fffoodcritic (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate to see you go chipmunk but everything must come to an end. Truthfully the Journals web page has been in decline for some time now and it appears it's only getting worse. I find nothing worth posting about here anyway.
Posted by lenny (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 8:27 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by cheif (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 9 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by andtongs (anonymous) on May 31, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so much better, to be living in chipmunk free world. May the blessings of God and his only son Jesus Christ be upon the Fergus Falls Daily Journal and Mr. Jeff Hage.
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