I’m far too overwhelmed (i.e. drunk) after the big JEECamp conference today, but had a fascinating time, and loads of really interesting stuff came up. Plus was really great to put faces to people who I’ve only seen behind blog post facades before.
But there’s one thing that particularly caught my attention. I went along today without any particular agenda. I’m not an entrepreneurial journalist, and doubt I’ll become one one any time soon. But as a dedicated reporter who loves the business of reporting, I wanted to learn about the future of reporting from people much cleverer than myself.
And something really stuck out. The idea of a reporter as a brand, and of creating a community around oneself as a reporter. This isn’t original thinking by any means, I’m sure, but certainly struck home with me. Particularly with the idea of the news gathering process being transparent to improve readers’ access to; and views of; the journalists they read.
Well it was both terrifying, in that it involved me thinking quite how much things are changing, and also slightly reassuring. I’d like to think I was open with the way I do my job, with blog posts like this and this about the way I go about my business and the things I do. I’d also like to think I was approachable as a reporter, and please let me know if I’m not!
Finally, after I stumbled back to my flat I was presented with this post by Steve Dyson, the editor of the Birmingham Mail. What a fantastic example of making the journalistic process available to readers. I’d like to think that any internet reader now has a good idea how the Mail works, and hopefully a warm glow and feeling of ownership of their paper…
Anyway, more tomorrow, I hope. If there’s anyone reading this from JEECamp, was great to meet you!
Tom Scotney 