Bridging the Gap: The New Reporters

We’re finally living in a time when major networks have become savvy to the idea that perhaps the Internet can be used as a complimentary tool to collect and spread the news. Particularly with television, I’ve been noticing a new breed of journalists making their way into the mainstream, and although there doesn’t seem to be a standard job title for these new wave of reporters – they’ve been dubbed as New Media Reporters, Web Reporters or Cross-Platform Reporters – there’s no question the major players out there are realizing the value in having a face and voice that speaks to their news consumers on TV as well as the web.

As more people watch TV while simultaneously surfing the web – a trend that now represents almost 60 per cent of Americans according to Nielsen’s latest report – the ability to interact with Web viewers real-time while a show’s happening may be something networks who haven’t yet adapted  should consider embracing. Since news is partially about immediacy and the ability to disperse information accurately and quickly (this really is a factor news sources of all mediums are competitive about), tapping into conversations happening online and being able to speak to them instantaneously can only boost the value of a network.

Naturally, my first interview on this subject had to be with Amber MacArthur (better known as Amber Mac). Considering she’s the one that essentially started this trend of a New Media Reporter in the Toronto TV market, it made sense to pick her brain before anyone else’s on the topic of news networks embracing the web, the benefits behind having a cross-platform voice, and what networks can do to leverage the Internet even more.

Anastasia Tubanos: You are one of the first reporters in Toronto to have brought the concept of a New Media Reporter or Cross-Platform journalist to the mainstream with your gig as a New Media Reporter for CityTV and now your show Webnation on CP24/Discovery. Why do you think it was important to establish that role in mainstream news?

Amber Mac: I think more and more the social media world online is affecting mainstream news organizations, which seems fairly obvious now, but when I joined CityTV a few years ago there was still a lot of doubt about tools such as Twitter making a difference. Today, if I look at what my colleagues at CP24 are doing with web tools, during times like the recent G20 protests, I see real integration that is only making the coverage that much better.

Why did you end up being a cross-platform reporter instead of just sticking to a traditional medium, such as just being a TV reporter? Or just being an online reporter?

I suppose I have a short attention span because I love the idea of doing multiple things. There is nothing more exciting than hosting a live television show and having conversations with people online at the same time.  

Canadian networks have seemingly been making an effort to embrace new media into their news coverage. How does it feel seeing other networks starting to introduce their own Web Reporters or Cross-Platform Journalists now?

Although I think many news organizations in Canada were slow to adopt social media, I think these tools are finally mainstream. For me, it's really important that reporters connect online because that's how I watch the news. I sit on my laptop in front of my TV.

The concept of a New Media Reporter is one that's quite fresh within traditional media. Can you shed some light on what kind of stories you cover and what you're striving to achieve with this role?

Again, I'm going to use the G20 example since it's fresh in my mind. On a recent episode of Webnation, I interviewed Sergeant Timothy Burrows from Toronto Police about how authorities were using social media during the summit. I also had CP24 special correspondent Craig Kielburger on the show to talk about how activists were leveraging the same tools to mobilize. 

What do you think major networks could be doing better with regards to their online presence and taking full advantage of social media/the internet?

I think many networks could spend more time nurturing their online presence. I just wrote a book on this topic called Power Friending, which focuses on how to build loyal communities on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, and other tools. The most important advice I can give any organization online is to be authentic, brave, and consistent, and make as many new friends as you can.

Watch Webnation Wednesday nights at 7:10pm on CP24.

Follow AmberMac on Twitter.

Pick up Power Friending online at Amazon.ca.