JMSC6083 – Spring 2011

Greetings all!

This is a hands-on course — much of the time you will be operating as journalists covering real news events (some of them live!) throughout the semester.

We’ll also run simulations from time to time to give you a taste of how news agencies cover breaking news — including stories that move from country to country such as aeroplane hijacks — and to give you practice at how to report accurately AND fast … very fast …. (it’s in part a matter of technique! There’s a bunch of tips you’ll learn!)

Week 11 – April 13

Like to get as much of the projects done — can each team provide a listing of its stories, and indicate the lead story.

The aim now is to get as many stories up live as possible.  Don’t forget you are to nominate the articles/packages etc you want to be graded on!

Week 10 – April 6

We’ve got some business stories to sub, add art and upload Then it’s a case of getting your stories and packages finished …

Week 9 – March 30, 2011

It’s going to be a hands-on session with you working on your mid-east/budget/earthquake features. Hope you’ve got some material in the can.

Before you get started, we’ll discuss 1. progress on your individual stories and 2. Richard’s new task of running the ABC on Campus site.

Week 8 – March 23, 2011

Hope you enjoyed the break and took the opportunity to familiarise yourselves with the technologies demonstrated a fortnight ago! You’ll be using them during class.

Housekeeping:

• Vox-Asia now has it’s own storify.com account. Logon using the Vox-Asia Twitter account — not the Lantaulink account.
• Ushahidi has now established a cloudmap service — see http://crowdmap.com/ – I’m adding that to the list of apps/technologies you need to master.

In class we will address:

1. Copy-editing/Subbing. Jeff has uploaded some articles from the biz course. You are going to sub them and prepare them for publication — including adding art. You’ll need to be familiar with the vox-asia style guide (a work-in-progress — you will also update it). I also suggest you digest the copy-editing tips here. One article between two. Shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes.

2. Covering BOTH the Middle East crisis AND the Japan earthquake from afar. Plus updating the HK Budget fallout. This is where the technologies introduced during the previous class (plus the Ushahidi cloudmap) come into play. We’ll spend 30 minutes dividing up tasks and responsibilities and choosing the appropriate technologies/apps/methods. Each group will present its plan for discussion for class feedback — and then get cracking.

Assignments:

Individual assignments:

Within TWO weeks of this class each of you must complete (individually and not in groups) the following and upload for editing to Vox-Asia:

1. One enterprise TEXT story of at least 300 words using no more than ONE other multiple-media supporting element (note: a single photo isn’t enough. If you choose photography it must be a properly captioned photo-essay / slideshow).

2. One enterprise story using one of the following apps: Vuvox, Projeqt, Storify, Ushahidi Cloudmap, Livestreaming etc.  You’ll need a text intro. Keep it short and concise. This must include an audio element and a photographic/graphic element that YOU shot/compiled in the article/app.

Notes: You need to adhere to the Vox-Asia style-guide. You must remember to add art (photo or graphic) in the relevant custom field. That photo/graphic is compulsory and does not count for the multi-media requirement. I expect a progress report with copy (even if it/them are not finalised) by next week.

Group Assignment:

By the end of class, each group should have at least the outline of its Middle-East / Japan Earthquake / HK Budget package ready to go. I want to see the start of these packages saved (but not published on Vox-Asia by next class).

Week 7 – March 9, 2011

Budget Coverage: — herograms and review of cover-it-live.

Budget Coverage Post-Mortem: — rather than look back on just what went right and what went wrong I want you to think about what you and your colleagues managed and throw your experiences forward by discussing what you would do if you were to cover this event next year … each of you needs to come up to the front of the class and discuss contributions from both an organisational angle and also from a reporting/editing angle. No escape. No popping off to the loo. Plus there will be some general discussion afterwards.

New Techologies: — we will experiment — or further experiment — with the following technologies — some of which are still in beta or even alpha — using real-life news. We’ll 1. wrap up the HK budget with the events that have since arisen (using mostly storify) and then go on to 2. use them (and existing techs) to document events in the Middle East as they unfold …. and perhaps the Jasmine Revolution as it relates to various movements, too.  Note: This isn’t just going to be a case of stenography. You are going to have to think about nuance, accuracy and balance. In short, news judgement.

The technologies are:

• Vuvox (collage mode)
• Storify
• Projeqt
• Ustream / Livestream / Qik (you’ve had some exposure to them, especially qik, now try them all out in the DML and evaluate their various strengths and weaknesses)

Be warned that Kevin and I are devising a new Nadaland exercise that will involve live hand-overs between bureaux in different cities, countries and continents. Not this week, though.

Week 6 – Feb 23, 2011

Live Budget Coverage:

Crib sheet: https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1wsEH-_ywV8STLIxehLHaLzcsgQ2QVyVQ2dawdjgzQks

Week 5 – Feb 16, 2011

HOW TO:

Extra width pages – use sparingly – you will have to link manually to the related posts tag.

Use CUSTOM FIELDS. Choose Extra-width. Set the value at 800 px

Set columns using CSS rather than tables (this is an eg for an extra width page of 800 px with two 400-px columns) – this is not mandatory just an alternative.

In html mode:

<div style=”float: right; width: 400px;”>

Right hand column

This column is set at 400 px

</div>
left hand column

This column is also set at 400 px

———–

Polling:

I’ve set up a polling plugin: (wp-polling)

To use: go to POLLS (in the left-hand rail) and create it. Check the number — then add: [poll=X] X=the poll number in your post.

Iframe:

This plugin has also been activated. The code is:

Width can be either a percentage or a hard number in pixels – if former, use %-sign (eg 100%) if pixels use just the number (no px)

Google maps:

No need to embed, use just the URL around the word MAP

Check-list:

• Does each article have a RHS PICTURE? (use custom fields / image)
• Is each RHS picture CAPTIONED? (use custom fields / caption)
• Is each article properly by-lined/credited? (in template)
• Has each article been checked against the style guide at http://jmsc.hku.hk/blogs/jmsc6083advancedonline/category/style-sheet/

RANDOM GRIPE: ACCURACY/NAMES

Winnie DAVIS or Winnie DAVIES – see http://www.vox-asia.com/news/2011/02/an-artists%E2%80%99-colony-turns-10-inside-the-joy-art-club/ vs http://www.vox-asia.com/news/2011/01/fotanian-open-studios-turns-10-art-village-experiences-growing-pains/

SOUNDSLIDES:

Have all demo versions been run thru the SS pro program in the DML?

TWITTER:

Have added the vox-asia twitter feed to the front page. Need to start tweeting. You will need to decide who/how … etc. Liaise with Kevin. This needs to be settled before the end of class for 2011-2012 HK Budget coverage ….

The Budget

We’ll run a simulation based on last year’s budget:

Official page:

http://www.budget.gov.hk/2011/eng/speech.html

Checklist:

TV access — Kevin

Editors:

Contacts:

Background:

Google docs:

Cover-it-live:

Week 4 – Feb 9, 2011

Welcome back! There’s a bunch of stories awaiting upload. Plus there should be some LNY stories/packages to come. Well done all of you who have completed stories/packages. The LNY editors will present what’s in the can ….

We are going to use these articles as material for this week’s class which will focus on professional delivery.

But first, updates to vox-asia plugins — google maps and bylines.

Why is this important?

Apart from the personal satisfaction of being good at your job you have to compete with people you do not even know exist! How do you think those considering hiring you (full-time or on a freelance basis) consider you?

• Talented but flaky?
• Prone to errors? … need to double-check most of his/her sentences/facts
• Great set of language/technical skills but set in his/her ways …
• Hard work … if I go to the loo now someone else will get assigned to deal with this lap sap …. / will brief/debrief this corro

What’s the opposite? Some suggestions

• Reliable and talented
• Painstaking and accurate
• Adaptable with initiative, can parachute her/him in anywhere from Africa to the Arctic
• Only needs briefing once, will hit the ground running (scuse the cliche)
• Produces clean, tailored copy in the best format to tell the story …
• His/her copy is mine … it’s a case of top and tail, salute and send ….

How would you feel if someone who’d never set foot in the region and does not have your background knowledge or experience beats you to the job/assignment — or simply does a better job than you? It happens. He/she is simply more professional — and at pro is always a better bet than the amateur, no matter how “talented”.

So …. getting it right

Reporting – that’s for next week. Today is about presentation.

Style! We’ll go thru the styleguide to make sure everyone is up to speed. Style is important. You cannot rely on someone else to bale you out. [discussion].

You should get into the habit of CHECKING the styleguide regularly for updates — this happens in major newsrooms.

Accuracy! No one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes. Know your weak points. Everyone has them. And when it does go wrong … [discussion]

Accuracy / Corrections / Clarifications:

“Reuters is transparent about errors. We rectify them promptly and clearly, whether in a story, a caption, a graphic or a script. We do not disguise or bury corrections in subsequent leads or stories. Our Corrections Policy is outlined in this Handbook.

“… When mistakes are made, they must be corrected – fully, quickly and ungrudgingly.” – THE ASSOCIATED PRESS STATEMENT OF NEWS VALUES
AND PRINCIPLES

See the styleguide for the correct format.

Choosing the best editorial format:

This is where your JOURNALISTIC JUDGMENT comes into play. YOU have to decide which is the best way to present your journalism — within the confines of the publication’s parameters. You have to be able to argue your case convincingly. Formatting decisions will change as technology advances.

THUS:

Soundslides:

SS Demo: A style point: while it’s fine to compile your SS on a demo version, please output through the pro version installed on the computers in the DML. No professional organisation will buy a package made with the demo version.

Soundslides versus Simpleviewer:

Soundslides is a powerful tool if you have audio — but it’s not ideal for a straightforward slideshow. Please use Simpleviewer. Also think about page widths.

Practical:

This week each LNY editor will present the packages compiled — and after any modifications required you will proceed with uploading ….

Then we’ll plan the Budget coverage for Wednesday, February 23. You need to:

1. set up an organisational system (google docs? another sharing system — budget team editors to decide)
2. check on and compile budget-related events/websites/info for ref/action purposes

Kicking off for starters:

http://www.industryhk.org/english/fa/fa_fed/fa_fed_detail.php?id=190

http://www.pwchk.com/home/eng/budgetbriefing_2011_dup.html

http://biglychee.com/blog/2011/02/02/different-year-same-budget-leak/

Week Three:

In store this week:

We will plan Chinese New Year and Budget coverage.

We’ll need to appoint editors for both projects. Two for each. Volunteers? We’re going to need volunteers to help with the JMSC Internship coverage.

I’m glad to see some of you are uploading your first articles to vox-asia.com. We will discuss them — as well as copy-editing and style.

Then you will copy-edit each other’s stories and upload them.

We will also explore some new technology for story-telling …. including a couple still in beta-testing. You may wish to think if any of them may be of use to stories you are planning.

In Nadaland this week: The financial secretary floats budget rumours ….

Note: I’ve moved the cover-it-live feed to this blog (away from hkstories.net).

Week Two:

In store this week:

1. Vox-Asia. It looks like everyone has signed up for Vox-Asia — we’ll do a check to see if anyone’s missed the boat.  Then Kevin will demonstrate the foibles of this system. There’s a few details to remember:

TAGS — they are important — they control the Related Posts plugin you see on the right-hand bar of each post. So avoid: 1. Tags overlapping with categories (redundant) and 2. overly general tags — for example People.  Just about every article would qualify for the people tag ….

PHOTOS/GRAPHICS — every article is going to need a photo or graphic otherwise you get a nasty generic box …. you need to decide how you will resolve this problem (in your bureaux – then open discussion)

STORY FLOW — There’s a plugin that controls this … you will need to become familiar with it.

PLANNING/SYNCHING SHARING — discussion on how you are going to keep track of assignments / work-in-progress. Tips: Dropbox / Google docs/groups /

2. Cover-it-live – prepare to live-demo this …

3. Simulation. You will work in your bureaux. a. The first task is for you to get familiar with your (mythical) posting. This is useful for those who get sent to a new country/city/bureau and are expected to hit the ground running …. see NADALAND. b. You will cover a (mythical) breaking story … some elements will be drawn from genuine events.

4. Class assignment: Lunar New Year 2011. Who, what, where, when, how.

5. Follow-up on last week’s assignments. a. Check on levels of familiarity with the Lumix DSLRs. b. Each bureau to report on outcome of your editor’s assignment … and perhaps upload an article???????

6. Sections – We have contributions coming in from other courses — currently business, health and China. Each bureau will be responsible for producing the copy flowing in. We will assign responsibilities …..

Week One:

1. Introduction to the vox-asia.com site — and other services we’ll use. You’ll need to sign up for them. See http://www.hkstories.net/jmsc6083/key-urls/

2. Divide you into your initial reporting/editing teams. For much of the semester, your coverage will be conducted in these teams. Each of you will get the opportunity to serve as a news editor, a production editor and as reporters. You’ll also be responsible for producing articles written by students in Jeff’s  business journalism course and Thomas’s Health and Medicine course.  We’re also hoping that the SCMP’s Citizenmap project will provide opportunities for you to follow up with stories that you will see in print in the SCMP.

3. Outline of the two main set events you’ll be covering. In both these cases, the team will comprise the whole class — again, each of you will be assigned one or more job functions ….

The first is the Lunar New Year. The second is the annual Hong Kong budget in mid-March. This will be covered live — and you will be able to compare your performance to that of the output of the professional international and local media in Hong Kong.

4. Technology: Unlike JMSC6091, you WON’T have to use every multi-media technique under the sun in covering a story. You will need to exercise your judgement and CHOOSE which technique(s) is/are best suited to telling your story.

Tools

In addition to the tools we explored in JMSC 6091, there are a number of additional tools we’ll be using: these include:

• Coveritlive.com — the ultimate live coverage service – you can write up stories as they break – incorporate video (live and prepackaged) twitter streams, photos, polls and more
• Ustream.com / Livestream.com – Live streaming of video
• Qik – Live streaming/uploading for photos/video from a mobile device
• Storify – an aggregation service (still in beta but we have an account)
• Vuvox – Soundslides on steroids – you can amalgamate text, photos, video and audio …….
• Various polling and survey tools
• Various sharing and collaboration tool such as dropbox, google groups etc

Equipment:

We have a couple of Panasomic Lumix DSLR/Video Cameras for the exclusive use of this class. Over the next week and a half I want each of you to become familiar with them — you can check them out in turn.

Classwork:

• As a WHOLE-CLASS group you will need to choose/assign your various roles and start planning your coverage of the Lunar New Year!
• In your GROUPS you will need to choose/assign your various roles and start planning your first FEATURE articles. Hint: one good start would be to analyse recent coverage in HK and look for themes/stories with legs! You will also need to come up with ONE package that your team will complete ready to be uploaded in class 2!

Assignment:

• Produce a roster for checking out the Lumix DSLRs and familiarising yourself with them
• The editor of each group is to assign the second task! And is responsible for monitoring progress …. ensuring deadlines are met!

• Follow up on the fate of the Lantau buffalo seized by AFCD – see http://lantaulink.com/ll/2011/03/buffalo-attacks-visitor-silvermine-bay-beach-bystanders-divided-provocation/
• The wildlife threatened by the proposed Shek Kwu Chau incinerator – contact zoologist Martin WIlliams.
• Hong Kong’s wastful habits — this is one of the worst places in the developed world re lack of recycling etc
• Shek Kwu Chau and SARDA – fascinating story. SARDA rents the island for a peppercorn $1 a year — runs a drug addiction treatment centre. The inhabitants live in camps they built themselves. Grow their own veggies, look after animals eg stray cats, retired police dogs, endangered species eg turtles seized by AFCD/Customs,  goats, rabbits, peacocks etc. They built the whole place — all in differrent themes. There’s a mini Great Wall, a mural re-enacting the opium wars etc. The mounted the chair that Princess Diana sat upon during a visit on the wall above the badminton courts.
• Profile of a junior hospital authority doctor — they are revolting over terms, conditions, lack of promotion prospects etc. One interviewee might be a JMSC grad who switched careers to medicine, has recently qualified.
• CEDD’s “greening” of HK. This government department is planting trees in various areas — it’s quite difficult cos of all the wiring, piping and ducting under the pavements.  Contact: Gavin Coates.
• The Good Life: interview with small business owner on somewhere like Lamma or Mui Wo about escaping the rat race — might make less money but have a more relaxed lifestyle.
• Copy watch etc salemen — how much money do they really make … where do they get goods from … difficult one but if can crack it, good story.
• Day in the life of a traditional Chinese restaurant — ie start v. early hours making stock, then dim sum, then lunch trade, pensioners’ trade,  dinner trade etc
• Mabel’s organic farm in Mui Wo (or indeed any other organic farm, eg Kadoorie)
• The Norwegian woman who teaches Cantonese — see Chinadroll.com and happy jellyfish language bureau
• Bars ignoring the smoking ban and the problem of the “high rise” bars — esp in Causeway Bay — how would you evacuate? Why are they up there? Cheap rent? breaking the law?