Welcome to Advancing the Story: Broadcast Journalism in a Multimedia World by Deb Halpern Wenger and Deborah Potter. We’ve created this blog as a companion to our textbook of the same name, published by CQ Press.
We’re categorizing the posts based on their relevance to the chapters in the text. We also have a “Multimedia Examples” category, where we highlight stories, graphics and other content we’re sure you’ll want to see.
You’re welcome to share the content as widely as you like. Please note that external links are valid when we post them, but we can’t guarantee they’ll keep working forever.
We also welcome comments. We may not necessarily agree with them, of course; comment authors are solely responsible for their postings. And we do ask that you refrain from personal attacks and nasty language. Thanks!
Advancing the Story 
Hi Deborah,
I just found your blog. It’s perfect. I’m an old-school TV reporter who is morphing into a blogger/ print/television-news/freelance reporter. . . along with teaching myself all the multi-media stuff on the side.
My goal is to freelance multi-media stories (DOES ANYONE DO THAT?) So any information on that would be great. Keep it up. This is the only blog I’ve found on multi-media that seems aimed at broadcast journalists.
Julie
Thanks, Julie. We’re delighted you found us. We happen to think the blog and the textbook of the same name are unique in that they’re written from a broadcast perspective, so it’s nice to have someone else validate that assessment! Yes, there are multimedia freelancers, but most of the resources we’ve found are directed at (you guessed it) print folks. We’ll keep looking. Stay tuned.
I really hope to use this book for my Spring Broadcast News class. Please
send me an exam copy ASAP! Thanks.
Larry Bradshaw
Abilene Christian University
DEBORA—I OFTEN THROW AWAY THE PILE OF BOOK OFFERS IN THE MAIL. YOURS CAUGHT MY EYE, AND I PLAN TO ORDER IT FOR MY TV REPORTING CLASS AT YOUR OLD UNIVERSITY.
MOORHEAD STATE.
THIS IS KEVIN WALLEVAND WRITING YOU. I AM STILL AT WDAY-TV IN FARGO AS A SPECIAL PROJECTS PRODUCER ( 25-YEARS–YIKES). I ALSO TEACH AT WHAT IS NOW MSUM.
I LOOK FORWARD TO ORDERING THIS BOOK AND USING THE OTHER TOOLS YOU AND DEBORAH OFFER.
KEVIN WALLEVAND
WDAY-TV/MSUM
FARGO-MOORHEAD
Kevin –
It was GREAT to hear from you! Let’s talk off-line about what you’re doing and life in general. My email: dhwenger@vcu.edu.
And glad you like the book!
Hi Deborah,
I recently stumbled upon your blog and I read some of your blog posts. I find them inspiring and I like posts as I read them. I just started a blog on multimedia at http://multimedia.md/blog/ and wanted to do a linkswap in the blogroll with your site .
Regards
Hi Deborah,
I foundx your blog very interesting.Your blog is very informative and your book ‘Advancing the story:Broadcasting journalism in a multimedia world’.This book is ideal for us .I recommed this book to my friends in this field .
Shanthanu
I recently discovered your blog. I currently write for a small, weekly newspaper, as well as work part-time for a cluster of eight radio stations, both in a small city in Georgia (outside of Atlanta).
I would like to make the transition from print journalism to online/broadcast journalism. I would like to focus on medium and small markets in the South. What advice, if any, do you have for me?
Also, I would like to get in touch with other people working in electronic journalism. How should I build my contact list in that area? And what kinds of skill sets do I need to develop to increase my chances of getting the job I want? I look forward to reading any and all answers you give. Thank you.
Hi, Walter –
A couple suggestions:
To get in touch with other people interested in multimedia, consider joining Wired Journalists (http://mediageeks.ning.com/).
In terms of skill set – a lot depends on what you want to do. If you want to be a Web producer, some basic HTML, Photoshop or something similar and an understanding content management systems would be essential – if you know Flash, have video newsgathering/editing skills, etc. – so much the better!
Since you’re close to Atlanta – one thing I would suggest is that you try to attend the national SPJ Convention there – Sept. 4-7. There should be lots of mutlimedia discussion/training there – and its a good place to network.
Good luck!
Deb Wenger
Thank you! I look forward to reading this blog every chance I get.
Hi Deborah,
your blog is an eye openor for me.It serves as a reporter’s handbook.
Thank you.
Shanthanu
Deborah, Love your site and all the good info. If I ever get hired to teach broadcast writing at one of the local universities would certainly require your book for class.
FYI, I recently did a blog for the Cincinnati Enquirer when I accompanied an official Cinci delegation to our sister city in China. It’s at http://www.cincinnati.com/quinlivaninchina.
Laure Quinlivan
Hi Deborah,
I’m a News Researcher from Calcutta.But,it’s unfortunate that local TV stations of Calcutta are still reluctant to hire news researchers who can work stories with reporters,find breakdown material for producers.The conception is not clear about news researchers work.
Shanthanu Bhattachaarya,Calcutta,India
http://www.shanthanubh.wordpress.com