According to computer scientists, cell phones are changing how we live and how we think about information.
The advancement of cell phones has brought rise to mobile reporting. Reporters no longer have to depend on photographers or camera crews to capture an event, and can now rely on their handy-dandy multi-purpose cell phones. And if they aren’t at the scene to capture footage, they can turn to news consumers.
Mobile reporting is especially helpful in breaking news situations when others arrive at a scene before professional journalists, according to Briggs. Mobile reporting allows anyone with a cell phone to contribute images, videos and/or information that journalists do not have in order to complete a story.
Always, always, always:
- Keep it simple. Minimize equipment.
- Be prepared. Have all the tools needed to report in any medium – at anytime, from anywhere.
How to publish while on the field:
- Mobile microblogging – Twitter, RSS feeds (connects journalists to online and mobile audiences)
- Live blogging – the practice of covering an on-going event with constant updates; Twitter, CoveritLive
- Mobile video – stream video live from anywhere on a cell phone without an Internet connection; Qik, Kyte and Flixwagon
- Mobile multimedia – combining photos, video and audio with text
When to go mobile?
- Criminal and civil trials
- Important speeches or announcements by public officials
- Breaking news events
- Public gatherings (protests, parades, rallies)
- Sporting events
- Grand openings of popular consumer destinations
And remember, for a mobile journalist, the deadline is now.
