Here’s a matrix comparing the old way and new way of filing stories when you have an online desk. At best the reporter and the online desk should work as a team, the reporter sending what information she can before, during and immediately after the event. There are lots of technologies to help reporters do this. Choose the ones that work best for you and the situation.
|
Filing a story |
Old way |
New way |
Online desk |
|
Preparation |
Prepare |
Background Template Coordinate with online desk |
Forewarned Has template ready Prepares page, pics etc |
|
Grab |
Recording: Interviews Notes: Handouts: |
Recordings: Interviews, sound Notes Photos Videos |
Receives live feed: sound, video Multimedia: CD Rom Email digital or photo scan of press releases |
|
Compose |
|
Headline Lead Quote Context |
Check press releases, background, other stories |
|
File |
|
Phone (voice) Phone (SMS) Phone (email) Laptop (email) |
Publishes story online |
|
Back at office |
Follow-up interviews Background material
|
Follow-up interviews Background material Check web version for reader’s comments Feed update material to online desk |
Adds update to story Sidebar |
|
Write |
From scratch |
From online version |
|
|
Go home |
One story done |
At least two stories done |
|