It is often said that fewer journalists are meeting people nowadays because they do so much work through the screen.
But several newspapers and magazines in Britain and the United States have come up with initiatives to promote face-to-face contact between journalists and the public through live events.
They organise conferences, stage panel debates and run educational courses that enable readers to meet and mingle with writers.
One of the latest examples of the genre, being pioneered by a number of Gannett newspapers in the States, takes it to a new level.
Their journalists are going to learn how to relate stories live in front of an audience. To that end, they will attend an Online News Association workshop on Thursday (24 September) for coaching.
They will be taught by Megan Finnerty, who works for Gannett’s Phoenix-based daily, the Arizona Republic, while running the Arizona storytellers project.
Since 2011, it has been bringing journalists and the community together each month for nights of live storytelling.
Finnerty said of her award-winning project: “Oral storytelling and journalism are dedicated to the same goals - serving and reflecting a community while fostering empathy among those people.
“These nights blend the authenticity and hype-free discipline of storytelling as an art form with the truthfulness, community-building and empowerment that’s at the heart of great journalism.”
Liz Nelson, Gannett’s director of strategic consumer engagement, said: “Everyone at Gannett is a huge fan of what Megan has done... It’s really unparalleled.”
So Gannett is taking the idea initially to nine of its papers from various cities across the States. And yes, it could be a money-spinner too. But ticket sales, evidently, are less lucrative than sponsorships.
Source: Poynter
