Multimedia Stories are the Best Stories
Among the many pieces of writing I have bookmarked on my computer, there is one that sticks out. "Snowfall" by John Branch of the New York Times represents what is quite possibly one of the most fantastic pieces of web journalism ever done. As a piece of writing alone, it won a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. But it also has a tremendous integration of both video (interviews ) and web (moving graphics) elements.
Annenberg's digital convergence between ATVN, Neon Tommy and ARN isn't designed to produce pieces quite of that sort, but it can greatly enhance the reporting of all three entities. First and foremost, three heads are better than one. The convergence allows for three reporters and three separate angles. Instead of each reporter trying to do an overarching story and touch only briefly on each aspect, a reporter instead can go very in depth on their assigned part of the story. Together, the three paint a full AND detailed picture.
It can be a challenge to coordinate. Three reporters equals three producers/editors too, who each have to figure out exactly how their outlet is covering the story. But it really does make it better. And next year, when all three share a newsroom, it will only improve.
