REYNOLDS SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM Presentation on Interactive Environmental Journalism January 2006

Introduction ► The Reynolds School of Journalism begins a new graduate studies program in new graduate studies programnew graduate studies program ► From a perspective of theory and practice, what are some of the elements of the new interactive journalism program?

Interactive Journalism ► We are exploring three fundamental aspects of interactivity:  Narrative  Exploration  Conversation

Narrative (1) ► The best of traditional journalism remains critically important: Structured thinking, rigorous analysis and clear and powerful expression.

Narrative (2) Non-linear Storytelling: Using text, images, audio and video and other media. Extending information and the narrative reach of the journalist. MediaStormMediaStorm (Washington Post)

Exploration (1) ► ► Enhanced sense-of-place media:sense-of-place media   Virtual-reality panoramas   Virtual-reality objects

Exploration (2) ► ► Interactive Graphics:   Layered Information   Animations   User-supplied variables

Exploration (3) ► Geomapping:  ChicagoCrime.org ChicagoCrime.org  Housingmaps.com Housingmaps.com  Geobloggers Geobloggers

► Games and simulations:  MSNBC.com feature Baggage Screeners that explains the airport screening process. Baggage Screeners Baggage Screeners  Interactive environment that invites users to evaluate potentially dangerous materials that actual airport screeners may see. Exploration (4)

Conversation (1) ► , Teleconference and VoIP applications. VoIP ► RSS feeds and news aggregators for browsing weblogs and other news feeds. news aggregators news aggregators ► Walled-garden blogs (MySpace). MySpace ► Internet broadcasting and podcasting. Internet broadcasting podcasting Internet broadcasting podcasting

Conversation (2) Social Networking Software ► Minnesota Public Radio’s Public Insight Journalism Public Insight JournalismPublic Insight JournalismPublic Insight Journalism ► 43Things.com 43Things.com ► Ning.com Ning.com ► PledgeBank.com PledgeBank.com

Conversation (3) User-organized content ► Applied “folksonomy” for photo management  Flickr.com Flickr.com ► Social bookmarking, tagging  ► Event calendaring  Eventful.com Eventful.com

Collaborative sites ► Reference  Wikipedia Wikipedia  fluwikie.com fluwikie.com ► Workgroups  Writely.com Writely.com ► Commerce  Craig’s List Craig’s List Craig’s List

Summary: Interactive Journalism ► Extends the narrative power of the journalist narrative powernarrative power ► Incorporates an architecture of participation. architecture of participationarchitecture of participation ► Harnesses the collective intelligence of the audience through participation. collective intelligence of the audiencecollective intelligence of the audience ► Creates trust and community through interactivity. trust ► Provides the foundation for deliberation and public judgment. public judgmentpublic judgment

Interactive Journalism Builds on our Strengths

Practical Applications ► Imagine a Tahoe Website that uses …  A TahoeWiki to create a public agenda for the lake’s future.  A PledgeBank site where individuals can challenge and inspire each other to reduce threats to the lake.  A geo-photo mapping site that lets users post pictures of their favorite places around the lake and then discuss them.  RSS feeds from regulatory agencies, experts and advocacy groups that provide the latest information.  Multimedia narratives and simulations that create an emotional bond and engage citizens to care about the lake’s future.  Interactive messages to reach highly targeted markets.

For more information: ► Please contact: Donica Mensing, PhD Director of Graduate Studies Reynolds School of Journalism University of Nevada, Reno Mail Stop 310 Reno, Nevada  Telephone: (775)   Web site: ► Faculty in the program include:  Cole Campbell, Dean of the Reynolds School of Journalism  Larry Dailey, Reynolds Chair of Media Technology & former multimedia producer at MSNBC on the Internet  Howard Goldbaum, Associate Professor, Interactive Media  Dr. Jennifer Greer, Associate Professor, Politics & Media  Dr. Edward Lenert, J.D., Professor and Fred W. Smith Chair in Critical Thinking and Ethical Practices  Dr. Donica Mensing, Director of Graduate Studies  Jean Trumbo, Associate Professor, Visual Communications