Online Journalism Review: Journalism Wikis
Online Journalism Review (OJR), is a web-based journal produced at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Southern California.The journal covers a full range of journalistic issues in all media, but with a particular emphasis on the internet and evaluating the emerging field of online journalism, providing readers commentary, features and resources. OJR has developed a series of editable wikis, that aim to strengthen online journalism.
Communication Strategies
The Online Journalism Review (OJR) has created a series of wikis on journalism skills, designed for bloggers, grassroots reporters and others who write online but who haven't formally studied journalism.
A wiki is an article, like an encyclopedia entry, but that any reader can add to or edit. Readers must be registered users in order to add to or edit the wikis, registration is free. OJR requests that professional journalists help to build the resource by adding edits as experienced journalists can help other bloggers and web publishers make the internet a more accurate and informative medium for all readers.
OJR began with 3 three tutorials, intended to help a beginner write and report clearly, accurately and ethically. Each of the tutorials are articles that any OJR registered user can add to or edit. Each article also includes a discussion area, where readers can submit questions for other OJR readers to answer.
The first draft of the tutorials were simple with hopes that they will evolve through a participatory process as OJR readers add examples derived from their knowledge and experiences. By offering these lessons as wikis, with discussion areas attached, OJR hopes to provide a forum for readers to discover some consensus about these skills, and engage in thoughtful debate. The tutorials aim to be sources of practical advice, accessible to anyone who writes online, especially those who have not attended journalism school.
According to the project website, the wiki feature represents an experiment for OJR, and aims to possibly serve as a model for the online publishing industry. The editors will report on participation and progress, either on the website or at industry conferences. OJR is also presenting these articles under a Creative Commons license.
OJR Wikis include -
OJR began with 3 three tutorials, intended to help a beginner write and report clearly, accurately and ethically. Each of the tutorials are articles that any OJR registered user can add to or edit. Each article also includes a discussion area, where readers can submit questions for other OJR readers to answer.
The first draft of the tutorials were simple with hopes that they will evolve through a participatory process as OJR readers add examples derived from their knowledge and experiences. By offering these lessons as wikis, with discussion areas attached, OJR hopes to provide a forum for readers to discover some consensus about these skills, and engage in thoughtful debate. The tutorials aim to be sources of practical advice, accessible to anyone who writes online, especially those who have not attended journalism school.
According to the project website, the wiki feature represents an experiment for OJR, and aims to possibly serve as a model for the online publishing industry. The editors will report on participation and progress, either on the website or at industry conferences. OJR is also presenting these articles under a Creative Commons license.
OJR Wikis include -
- Upcoming online journalism events.
- What are the ethics of online journalism?
- How to write for the web.
- How to report a news story online.
- How to make money on your news content website.
- Tips for shooting better online video.
Development Issues
Technology
Key Points
OJR also offers an article archive, blogs, and enewsletter.
Sources
Media Mentor listserv, March 11 2005 and OJR website, February 14 2006.
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