By Amy Webb, IJNet Digital Media Consultant
This week's column is slightly less techy, but with all the changes happening to global media I thought it would be a good time to offer you a self-assessment. The goal is to help you learn a little more about why you're in journalism, what your interests are and how to work to your strengths.
If you're someone whose job is in peril, this assessment will help you figure out what to do next. For those of you at training organizations, you can adapt this self-assessment for the journalists you work with so that you can better understand their individual needs and challenges.
Section One: What are your interests?Sit down with a couple of magazines and newspapers that you already have at your home or office. If youʼre paper-free, think about what you listen to and watch. Go to your computer and pull up the networkʼs websites. If you get most of your information online, pull up 10 of your favorite websites.
Now, carefully go through your pile of stuff. Either tear out or print the stories that you like best. You might like them because of the way they sound or read. But you might also like a certain feature, or graphic element or maybe even just the subject matter. Take an hour or so to identify what you like. Once youʼre finished, spread out your clippings on a table or even on the floor.
Then answer the questions below:
1. Can you easily categorize the kinds of stories you preference? Are they all about politics? Do they all have the same number of words? Were they all built using Flash? Make a list of the similarities below:
2. What was it about these particular clippings that you liked? Was it the same style of writing or the same broadcast manner? Maybe it was the color scheme? Make a list of "whyʼs" below:
3. How often would you say that you think about the items on this list on a daily basis? For example, if you indicated that you really like stories built in Flash, how often do you seek out other content built that way? Have you been motivated to learn Flash on your own? Have you visited web tutorials or purchased books?
Section Two: How well do you work with your interests?Do you currently report/write/produce/research/teach about any of the topics you indicate as your interests?
1. If so, explain how youʼre doing that - and be objective. Would a third-party observer agree with you?
2. Could you build your interests into the work you do or want to do? For example, if you really like Baltimore professional athletics, could you somehow cover them at your current job? If not, what is preventing you?
Section Three: What are your skills?1. List your daily schedule. Be brutally honest and detailed.(Example: 8a-9a, follow up on phone calls and email using Skype and Gmail.)
2. Make a list of the skills you identify from the table above. What software do you know? What social networks do you use? What communications skills do you have?
3. Have you ever taught others to use any of those skills? Could you teach someone else?
Section Four: Combine!Now, list all of your interests in detail and think about the skills that might apply. For example, you might be greatly interested in public records and the information that can be gleaned from them. How might you access those records? A database on the Internet? What skills would you need to create one yourself? Or, you could be interested in fashion news, and maybe you have very good audio recording skills. Could you combine audio plus some photos and reporting to develop a weekly webcast about fashion?
Section Five: Action PlanNow, letʼs determine how best to move forward.
1. Who do you know? Who works in the fields of your interest? Who has the skills that you think you lack? Is there a website or product similar to what youʼre interested in? Create a list below of at least five people and their contact information. Next, pick a specific date when youʼll contact them. This is importasend that email or make the call.
2. What will it take to start that new job/ begin work on that new project? Whatʼs holding you back? Identify your perceived obstacles below. Take an objective look - are those real obstacles, or just excuses?
Click here to read all of Amy Webb's columns.
Amy Webb is a digital media consultant and head of Webbmedia Group, LLC. Find more multimedia tips and ideas at her blog, http://www.mydigimedia.com. You can also follow Amy on Twitter and delicious. Webbmedia Group is a vendor-neutral company. Any opinions expressed about products or services are formed after testing, research and interviews. Neither Amy Webb nor Webbmedia Group or its employees receives any financial or other benefits from vendors.
Note: This is the blog for all about journalists, journalism and issues related to journalists. Bloggers are requested to please don't post items not related to journalism. Such and those posts containing vulgarity, obscenity, or derogatory remarks will be removed forthwith.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Journalists hold protest
KARACHI - The journalist community on Thursday held a pro-test demonstration over restricting them from getting the media coverage of Sindh High Court (SHC) reference bench for the martyred lawyers.The reporters and cameramen reached the courtroom for the coverage of martyred case but the security personnel stopped them without any justification.
The full court reference was held over the killing of five lawyers in different incident in the metropolitan during the lawyers’ movement, including April 9 incident that was presided over by chief justice of SHC Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.
The lawyers condemned such action, but none of them put the matter during the reference as they showed their ignorance. Interestingly, some of the lawyers’ leaders have claimed that they raised the issue before the participants as well as the chief justice of SHC and boycotted the reference, but no initiative was taken.
Soon following the reference, the media representatives gathered in the court building and recorded their protest. At this, president of Bar Rasheed A Rizvi, secretary Munir-ur-Rahman and others showed their unawareness about the incident.
On the occasion, Rasheed A Rizvi called administrative officer of high court of Sindh Syéd Sadaqat Au to inquire about the authority who ordered to restrict the media-men but the official refused to expose the motif be-hind the matter, saying that he was bound to keep it secret.
Rizvi expressed that the said reference was originally the pro-gram of the bar and they hosted it. So without taking the bar into confidence, such action should not be taken by the government as well as the high court officials, adding that none of the higher authority has right to interfere in any such event.
Such violation of law and order would not be tolerated next.On the other side, after attending the said reference, Munir A Malik condemned the behavior of court officials and said that the media has been a part of the lawyers’ grand movement, so it should not be neglected at any cost, rather, the media men should be respected and treated with Prestige.
Click here to view the source
The full court reference was held over the killing of five lawyers in different incident in the metropolitan during the lawyers’ movement, including April 9 incident that was presided over by chief justice of SHC Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.
The lawyers condemned such action, but none of them put the matter during the reference as they showed their ignorance. Interestingly, some of the lawyers’ leaders have claimed that they raised the issue before the participants as well as the chief justice of SHC and boycotted the reference, but no initiative was taken.
Soon following the reference, the media representatives gathered in the court building and recorded their protest. At this, president of Bar Rasheed A Rizvi, secretary Munir-ur-Rahman and others showed their unawareness about the incident.
On the occasion, Rasheed A Rizvi called administrative officer of high court of Sindh Syéd Sadaqat Au to inquire about the authority who ordered to restrict the media-men but the official refused to expose the motif be-hind the matter, saying that he was bound to keep it secret.
Rizvi expressed that the said reference was originally the pro-gram of the bar and they hosted it. So without taking the bar into confidence, such action should not be taken by the government as well as the high court officials, adding that none of the higher authority has right to interfere in any such event.
Such violation of law and order would not be tolerated next.On the other side, after attending the said reference, Munir A Malik condemned the behavior of court officials and said that the media has been a part of the lawyers’ grand movement, so it should not be neglected at any cost, rather, the media men should be respected and treated with Prestige.
Click here to view the source
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Journalist missing after threats
FAISALABAD: Khawar Shafiq, a journalist, went missing on Tuesday night. According to his family, they had heard nothing about him for the past 24 hours.
The missing of Shafiq, who works for Daily Waqt, Lahore, has sent a wave of panic among journalists. They have called upon the government to trace his whereabouts.
A meeting of journalists at the Faisalabad Press Club was told that Mr Shafiq was being harassed by employees of a secret agency and he had taken his colleagues into confidence about the threats.
Mr Shafiq had left the press club at 6pm on Tuesday, but did not reach home.
Members of the press club have informed police about the disappearance of Khawar Shafiq.
Click here to view source
The missing of Shafiq, who works for Daily Waqt, Lahore, has sent a wave of panic among journalists. They have called upon the government to trace his whereabouts.
A meeting of journalists at the Faisalabad Press Club was told that Mr Shafiq was being harassed by employees of a secret agency and he had taken his colleagues into confidence about the threats.
Mr Shafiq had left the press club at 6pm on Tuesday, but did not reach home.
Members of the press club have informed police about the disappearance of Khawar Shafiq.
Click here to view source
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
KUJ's protest demo at KPC
Following a countrywide call of the PFUJ to condemn the massive retrenchment of journalist from various print and electronic media outlets, Karachi Union of Journalists held a protest demonstration at Karachi Press Club on Tuesday to press the media owners to halt the economic killing of journalists.
A large number of AXED JOURNALISTS and members of various units of KUJ were present on the occasion holding play cards and banners inscribed with slogan for repatriation of axed journalist, implementation of 7th Wage Award, asking Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo-moto action of journalist’s hardships and condemning the media owners.
The demonstration was addressed by veteran leader of PFUJ, Mr. Minhaj Burna, General Secretary KUJ Amin Yousuf , Member FEC PFUJ Rabiah Baig and vice president KUJ Zaheer Khan.
Addressing a charged and slogan / chanting journalist, KUJ leaders asked the Chief Justice Iftikar Muhammad Chaudhary to take suo-moto notice of massive economic slaughtering of journalists and hold the media owners accountable for this.
The speakers asked the government to pressurize the media owners for immediate implementation of 7th Wage Board Award which is pending in the courts for the last seven years.
They condemn the media owners for using flimsy / clumsy pretexts to delay the implementation of wage award and also for axing journalist. Speakers demanded of the government to conditionally the issuance of government advertisement to all media outlets with implementation of wage award and repatriation of axed journalist.
Speakers also demanded of the government to announce the formation of 8th wage board award as per requirement of 1973 constitution of Pakistan.
Click here to view source
A large number of AXED JOURNALISTS and members of various units of KUJ were present on the occasion holding play cards and banners inscribed with slogan for repatriation of axed journalist, implementation of 7th Wage Award, asking Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo-moto action of journalist’s hardships and condemning the media owners.
The demonstration was addressed by veteran leader of PFUJ, Mr. Minhaj Burna, General Secretary KUJ Amin Yousuf , Member FEC PFUJ Rabiah Baig and vice president KUJ Zaheer Khan.
Addressing a charged and slogan / chanting journalist, KUJ leaders asked the Chief Justice Iftikar Muhammad Chaudhary to take suo-moto notice of massive economic slaughtering of journalists and hold the media owners accountable for this.
The speakers asked the government to pressurize the media owners for immediate implementation of 7th Wage Board Award which is pending in the courts for the last seven years.
They condemn the media owners for using flimsy / clumsy pretexts to delay the implementation of wage award and also for axing journalist. Speakers demanded of the government to conditionally the issuance of government advertisement to all media outlets with implementation of wage award and repatriation of axed journalist.
Speakers also demanded of the government to announce the formation of 8th wage board award as per requirement of 1973 constitution of Pakistan.
Click here to view source
Countrywide protest
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and all affiliated Unions have strongly protested against massive scale sacking of media persons from Newspapers and TV channels on the call of PFUJ. Countrywide protest rallies were held in all major cities and towns attended by large number of Journalists and Newspaper workers belonging to print and electronic media. They chanted slogans against economic massacre of media persons by media owners and demanded of immediate implementation of 7th wage award. Journalists in one voice rejected all the unjust and cruel acts to remove media workers without any cogent reason. Protest rallies were held in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Abbotabad and other parts of the country.
The PFUJ has urged government to take notice of brutality of media owners and non implementation of 7th wage award. “Owners are oppressing the media workers by sacking of hundreds of journalists from different newspapers and private TV channels and resorting other illegal and unlawful tactics for depriving legitimate rights of media workers. Government must act promptly to stop media owners from victimization and arbitrary acts against journalists. Hostility against media workers may trigger severe disappointment among media persons, it can demoralize the sprite of media men committed for freedom of expression, rule of law and true democracy in country.”
The PFUJ organized main rally from PFUJ Secretariat which ended at National Press Club Islamabad. Rally was led by President PFUJ Pervez Shuakat, Secretary General Shamsul Islam Naz and attended by the journalists from Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists and members national press club. Protestors chanted slogans against media owners their victimization and demanded immediate implementation of 7th wage award.
Click here to view source
The PFUJ has urged government to take notice of brutality of media owners and non implementation of 7th wage award. “Owners are oppressing the media workers by sacking of hundreds of journalists from different newspapers and private TV channels and resorting other illegal and unlawful tactics for depriving legitimate rights of media workers. Government must act promptly to stop media owners from victimization and arbitrary acts against journalists. Hostility against media workers may trigger severe disappointment among media persons, it can demoralize the sprite of media men committed for freedom of expression, rule of law and true democracy in country.”
The PFUJ organized main rally from PFUJ Secretariat which ended at National Press Club Islamabad. Rally was led by President PFUJ Pervez Shuakat, Secretary General Shamsul Islam Naz and attended by the journalists from Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists and members national press club. Protestors chanted slogans against media owners their victimization and demanded immediate implementation of 7th wage award.
Click here to view source
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