‘Mojos’ may be transforming newsrooms
By Joyce Chang
An article this week in Editor & Publisher describes the rise of “mobile journalists,” or “mojos,” who spend most, if not all, of their time outside the newsroom and file remotely from the field. The article suggests that the need for that the traditional brick-and-mortar newsroom may be diminishing as improved technology allows journalists to skip in-person newsroom meetings. Even non-reporting staffers, such as those handling ad placement and design, could potentially work off-site, saving publications the cost of office space.
“As technology offers easier ways to collect sound and images, editors are finding that equipping reporters with the necessary gadgets to work remotely — and kicking them out the door to do it — is an attractive option.”
Along with improved technology, earlier print deadlines and demand for increased online content are driving the push towards mobile journalism. Also, advocates say mobile journalists are able to get hyper-local stories faster, including offbeat stories that might not otherwise be covered.
The article mentions The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla., a newspaper that plans to have all 44 news staffers outfitted with mobile journalist kits that include laptops and digital cameras. Reporters on traditional beats still file for print, but their coverage is more immediate and often involves blog-type reporting that is reminiscent of radio-style updating. The News-Press also has “community journalists,” who “cruise certain areas and file stories of interest” for the Web.
But some editors worry that journalists’ absence from the newsroom may lead to a loss of editorial oversight and idea exchange.
Tim Franklin of The Baltimore Sun says:
“Being in an office where you can collaborate with others can be very beneficial…Having a place to meet with someone —there is something to be said for that.”
Another potential obstacle is the price of outfitting reporters with the technology. The article says one newspaper’s kit, which includes a video camera, audio recorder, laptop, cell phone, and other gadgets, costs about $14,800 each.
I think mobile journalists are traditional news organizations’ way to compete with citizen journalists. Also, the focus on hyper-local coverage might be beneficial, particularly for smaller or medium-sized newspapers, because that niche content can’t be found elsewhere.
I find it somewhat ironic that technological advances are making it both harder and easier to get out of the newsroom. High-speed Internet and the wealth of information online have made it easier to report on stories without leaving the newsroom. Digital documents have sometimes eliminated the need for journalists to go digging through old paper files. At the same time, in the case of ‘mojos’, technology is spurring a push for journalists to get out of the newsroom. Ultimately, though, in both cases, technology is giving journalists greater flexibility in how they report a story, what types of stories they’re able to do and how quickly the stories can be done.
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