cURATION V.S. CREATION

In Chapter 5, of Mark Briggs: Journalism 2.0: How to Survive and Thrive, Briggs highlights the fact that many traditionalists consider the role of a reporter as a “middle-man,” rather uncomfortable. In the old model of journalists were valued for what exclusive information they held; however in our ever-evoling era of the internet, value is more often found in how effectively a reporter can filter the “abundance” of the digital landscape and what we want to see online for their intended audience.

As Briggs notes, being a curator doesn’t mean you aren’t a creator; it just means you are providing a service by connecting information through: linking, summarizing, and analyzing. This is the “Linkblog” philosophy; realizing that your blog is a smaller part in a larger network, not just an isolated island.

COMPARASON

Furthermore, Briggs describes the importance of the big transition moving from a monologue form of journalism to more of one one call a “metaphorical symphony”. If your reporting style is still rooted in the Web 1.0 kind of journalism, you are likely acting as a “gatekeeper.” And if you have moved to Web 2.0, you are acting as a “facilitator.”

For example, moving from Web 1.0 to 2.0 is like trading a megaphone for a dinner table. Instead of just lecturing readers from behind a formal “gatekeeper” desk, you’re now inviting them to actualy join a conversation where you’re considered a facilitator, not just only the source. You you get to ditch the dry, long-winded monotony for a more “think email” style which keeps things more: direct, visual, and interactive.

How does your reporting style align with the shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0?

The “Think E-mail” Mental Shift

The most practical advice for the critical observer is the “E-mail Rule,” where Briggs suggests we treat a post like an e-mail to a friend!

But why?

Because it builds trust and it tells the reader, “I’ve seen this data, I’ve done the legwork, and here is why you should care.“