The Cole Papers, Four steps, April 1995

Stepping onto the info highway

Four steps can help ensure that your newsroom staff learns the new skills necessary for moving into new media:

Walk the walk: I've heard many disparaging comments about executive editors who are making multimillion-dollar new media decisions while lacking their own e-mail addresses. If you're going to get into this business, be the leader, walk the walk.

Inspire them: Have the early adopters, those who've been cybersurfing for a while, show a group of journalists what the medium can do for them. Peer support (and enthusiasm) will help smooth the introduction to this new realm.

Equip them: Give them the tools they need. At the very least, install a search station in the newsroom with access to some services.

Support their exploration: Give them time to acquire the new skills. A weekly two-hour sabbatical on-line will go far toward giving them the confidence to explore farther out into the reaches of cyberspace.

But, as your newsroom gets the opportunity to learn how to use these electronic information utilities, remember to emphasize that the computer is an assistant in reporting -- it is not a replacement for tried and true reporting techniques.

-- NP

Creating new media products -- don't follow the old models

Stepping onto the info highway

From THE COLE PAPERS, April 1995, Copyright © 1995, All Rights Reserved.