Multimedia packages, digital narratives, online packages—call it what you will, online news is finally pushing the industry into the present, and, dare we hope, the future. The Internet has birthed a digital medium. Hardcore print or broadcast fans might oppose, but the mellowed out morph of the two provide a pretty model of convergence journalism.
"Three Sisters," a series on The New York Times website, highlights this new breed’s capabilities. The series follows three Mexican sisters who immigrated to the U.S.: one is a legal immigrant, one illegal, and one returned to Mexico.
Published from a print platform, the package contains no conventional video clips. However, a new form of visuals takes the stage. Each sister has her own clip in which a slideshow of photographs accompanies the audio of the story. Perhaps the most innovative aspect of the story is that each woman tells her story in Spanish, and subtitles appear under the photos. Reporters added facts under the stream of photos to expand on points made.
Returning to the series main page, users can read in-depth articles about the sisters along with stories addressing broader issues concerning immigration. To throw in extra elements, the package includes links to encyclopedia entries, related immigration stories, and forums, where users can discuss the package.
If the story only ran in the paper, not only would each sister have one photo to tell the story, but each story would most likely run at different times. Space determines content. Because the Internet provides limitless space and multiple media, broadcast elements join print’s in-depth coverage.
Enter emotion, the storytelling gem in broadcast journalism. Photo slideshows take users to communities and two-room homes, making a story reality. Audio deepens the piece by adding clips from a football game or a bar.
Most striking is the use of Spanish. Broadcast rarely bothers since its passive viewers might not read subtitles. Online users can pause or rewind to catch what they missed.
Users call the shots. If they need it short, they can view the slideshow. If they want more, the information is theirs for the taking. At last, the best of both worlds.
Alone, the slew of information on the Internet overwhelms users at best. Molded by reporters, information is organized and put in context. Finally, a fresh media where you call the shots.
