Multimedia Reporting has three main focuses: News Research and Development - Finding and using primary and secondary souces. News Writing and Reporting -theories and practice in newswriting and reporting for multimedia, and Visual Communication - the use of images, Information graphics, photography and video all designed for web and mobile device and traditional news platforms. Topics cover how to investigate and create broadcast packages for breaking news, sports, and arts and entertainment, will also be explored in the class. Discussion will include media convergence, ethical, legal, and specifically copyright issues involved in multimedia news delivery, as well as how to use Blogs and Webcasts and social media for independent reporting. Lectures incorporate “best practices” on all topics
Students learn the principles of gathering and reporting news: Write news stories for varied audiences, across all media platforms. Understand the role of technology in digital storytelling Appreciate how digital media are changing the storyteller’s role in contemporary newsrooms. Transform traditional print and broadcast news stories for an on-line audience, television and radio news production. Create content specifically for the web and other forms of digital media.
Mass communication theorist Marshall McLuhan predicted the advancement of media technology in one impactful statement, " the medium is the message." This means that the way a message is delivered impacts the way that message is interpreted. As deliverers of the gospel, the presentation should demonstrate the value of the message, sometimes more than the content of the message itself. In analogy, a reference to this in marketing can be compared to the value in packaging. A 3-carat diamond ring taken from the back pocket of an eager suitor, wrapped in a dirty handkerchief, belies it's value and casts aspersions on the way it was acquired.
Multimedia reporting starts with an investigative process. It can be considered almost the first step of a judicial process. In the Bible King Solomon used a logical approach to investigation. In 1st Kings 3:16-28 he tested a woman's love for her child to reveal which woman was telling the truth about being the mother of a child and which was lying. His challenge was - "Cut the living child in two, and give half to one woman and half to the other!" Then the woman whose child was the living one spoke to the king, for she was deeply stirred over her son and said, "Oh, my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him." But the other said, "He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him!" This lesson shows that applications of logic are at the foundation of basic, as well as advanced judicial situations. In the field a basic level approach to investigation can help solve problems.
Reporters send out news briefs every day. Often, based on the delivery platform news comes to us 24/7. Spreading the good news of salvation is at the core of the Christian life, and is also a 24/7 experience. Today we do it through established and new media outlets, Jesus himself preferred the one-on-one approach. His only snafu was in the case of Lazarus, a brother to some of his closest friends, Mary and Martha. As man, it was not possible for Jesus to be everywhere all the time. When Mary rushed to him to tell him that Lazarus was very sick and dying, Jesus could not make it to Lazarus’ bedside in time. When he arrived, Lazarus had already died. But as the son of God, Jesus ordered Lazarus to come forth from the grave, when everyone thought it was too late to save him from the grips of death. In these actions Jesus provided a lesson to his closest friends, who were professed their belief that Jesus was really sent from God, the most. Yet, Martha chided him, "Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died. Jesus gave them a reflection of their faith, and held a mirror up to show them how weak their faith was.
What multimedia platforms do you think exist in many locations where missional leaders work around the world? Maybe all that we know and use here in the U.S., but probably not at all levels of society in the location where you are working. It may be that our work is based at levels where people cannot afford or know how to use different media, especially personal devices the way they are used today in advanced societies. We might need to rethink what a media for delivery of messages are in that particular setting, and which media will work for the specific job being done. Look for nontraditional media. They are there in every cultural setting in traditional or more advanced forms.
In traditional Africa the drum was a medium of messaging. In some cultural settings, this may be a horn, or an imitation of indigenous animals sounds, or a dance, etc. It may also be messages delivered via an iPhone or Android tablet or traditional radio or television. Openness to this understanding can open hearts and minds. Being inventive in messaging in different cultural settings is crucial.
Missional leaders go about the task of delivering the message of gospel. It is often necessary to provide a basis for the acceptance of the message being delivered. As in the work of the mass reporting of news, this basis must come from the perspective of the listener, and not from that of the speaker.
We must evaluate the media used to deliver the message of the gospel to audiences who may be using other means to receive information, to ensure that we are we communicating effectively, or whether we are communicating at all..
