My new reel is below. I've worked at a few news stations in my day. If you work on-air, you need to have a news reel which shows what you can do. Let me know what you think about my work.
Mayor Shirley Franklin says the leading Mayoral Candidate Mary Norwood isn't ready!
Check out the odds of your fav ATL Mayoral Candidate.
Washington is wondering why Atlanta is falling lagging in the mass transit dapartment.
Georgia Congressman wants to privatize Medicare.
New Safety Measures for Decatur Schools
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation
To start off with, Twitter is a micro blog. It's similar to a blog in that you can update information frequenlty. I like to liken the community to a chat room, however you select the conversations, and users that you receive messages from. The limit to these messages or "tweets" is 140 characters.
Twitter is a valuable tool for news because it allows you to easily monitor what other news organizations are covering 24/7 (as long as they are actively on Twitter), engage in conversations with the community, identify news sources, brand your content and drive traffic to your content.
Twitter can be effective when you "tweet" regularly, have two-way conversations with your followers, re-tweet (quote) tweets from other users who are sharing interesting content, and use hash-tags to aggregate news.
In developing your Twitter strategy try to share information that adds value to the community and can establish you as the source of quality information about niche topics. Below are some general communications methods:
Engage in two-way conversations: Use @username to send a publicly visible tweet to another user. For example: "@charlesedwards1 What are you working on today?" All of your followers will see that you are asking Charles a question.
Direct Messages: Twitter allows you to send private tweets similar to e-mail. This is called a Direct Message or DM. DMs are limited to 140 characters
Re-tweet: A re-tweet (RT) is the highest compliment on Twitter; it means that someone finds so much value in your tweet that they want to share it with their followers. For example: RT @charlesedwards1 (followed by the original tweet). You should always give RT credit when sharing a tweet that originated from another community member.
Hashtags: Hashtags are used to aggregate tweets from the community. Twitter users usually assign a hashtag which becomes adopted and used by the greater community. During the Atlanta Mayoral election, users used #atlmayor for Tweets related to the Mayor's race. During the runoff #atlpolitics was used. By following a hashtag, a user can follow all tweets related to a certain topic. Note: Due to the limits in character length, a hashtag should be no longer than ten characters.
Hashtags seem to work best during big news events. When I was working for HD News and covered the 2008 Hurricane season, #Ike, and #Gustav were the hashtags used to share information during the storms. I was able to have direct conversations with people on the ground, learn about areas that were being threatened, and share what I was seeing from the field.
Getting started: Once you establish your Twitter account, start by looking for other news organizations that are on Twitter. You follow them by clicking "Follow." You should also look for elected officials, local public figures and other newsmakers. The beauty with Twitter is that anyone can be a newsmaker, a fan of a reporter, news brand, or "citizen journalist." Try to follow civic minded individuals. If you like someone's tweets follow them. They will usually reciprocate and follow you back. You can start building a rapport by sending a tweet thanking the follower for their interest.
News organizations should carefully consider the Twitter policy regarding re-tweeting information from other news sources. A news organization wants to establish its credibility as being the source of breaking news, and important information. Re-tweeting news from other credible sources could undermine these efforts.
If you have any other thoughts, ideas or questions, please leave a comment.
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media
It's been an exciting time to work at PBA as it makes an effort to build stronger bonds in the community through the online space. This version of Public Square has shown potential as far as how people can use digital technology to connect around civic and community issues.
I'm happy to inform you that we're now in the process of re-launching Public Square, with a more user friendly, and easy to navigate system. The plan is to integrate Facebook Connect to make is easy to join, and it should be much easier to search for content, and find people.
In the upcoming weeks we're going to hold an open house to show off the new version of Public Square. We're also looking to re-engage people who are interested in serving as community ambassadors.
The site re-launch is scheduled for early July. We thank you for your patience, and for your continued interest in Public Square.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media atlanta community blogs news public square lens
This is a test of a new feature on the Lens on Atlanta blogs section.
You can now share your favorite videos from sites like YouTube on the community and it's real easy (this works for photos too).
When you create a blog, you'll notice a new box that allows you to, "Embed your Video Link." That enables you to copy and paste what's called an embed code. You'll find this code on most internet video and photo sharing sites.
After you find a video, or photo that you'd like to share on your blog, copy and paste this code into the designated box.
Then you can write your copy in regular text edit section, then you can add your new blog to the site.
This is the first time I've tested the feature so I'm curious to see how it displays.
If you have any questions, give me shout.
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media atlanta community blogs news public square lens news media community citizen journalism reporting
Lens on Atlanta is a social network, a community where you can engage in conversations, meet people virtually, and nurture relationships. Much is possible when we collaborate with others who share common goals and interests.
Some people understand the power of social networks, for others it's a new space, and can seem overwhelming. I want to take this moment to share some information about how you can create, and engage in beneficial conversations here on Lens on Atlanta.
1. Introduce yourself to new members: Send a quick greeting and say "hello." This is a new home, and we want all of our residents and visitors to feel welcome.
2. Share information: It can be hard sometimes to figure your strategy in a new community, but Lens on Atlanta gives you the opportunity to inform the public about the great things you're doing to improve the community. There are events, and activities going on all the time. If you happen to be at an event and take some photos, upload them. If you have some great thoughts, write them down. You never know who you're going to reach if you simply participate.
3. Tag your content: This should be number one. Everytime you add content, you'll be asked to give it tags. Tags help search engines find what you've posted, so it's always good to write a few tags. When a visitor is either on Lens on Atlanta searching for content, or using a search engine like Google, they might be led to your information by your tags.
4. Come back frequently: Try to make visiting Lens on Atlanta a part of your weekly routine. Try to set aside some time in your day to write a blog. Think about how you can use Lens on Atlanta to share information about your event. If you're on Twitter, send out a tweet to your network, or you can use the share button at the top of the page to send your content to your favorite network.
These are just a few suggestions, I've thought of, if you have any additional thoughts, please share them!
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media atlanta community blogs news public square lens news media community citizen journalism reporting lens atlanta community news information social media
From MyUrbanReport
"I’m participating in a journalism roundtable discussion at Georgia State University today. A variety of news professionals will be on hand to help the university develop its curriculum for students, and help the academics develop areas of future research.
I’ll be sharing my insights as a news professional, and social media practitioner. I’ll also share the abstract from my current graduate study. My thesis is titled “Gatekeeping and Citizen Journalism: A qualitative study on participatory media.” I’m currently collecting the data, and the plan is to graduate this semester. I only have two interviews to complete. Then I’ll be in the lab writing."
Here is a link to the video I produced for the presentation.
I believe that Lens on Atlanta could be a vital part of the media evolution, or revolution depending on how you look at it.
The news media hardly ever covers issues oriented information, plus news is subjective. If the story doesn't involve the police, fire engines, or some kind of tragedy the chance of coverage diminishes.
That doesn't mean your event, or activity isn't important enough to be shared. Your neighborhood watch meeting could be considered newsworthy to people in the group especially if you are working on plans to change or improve the community.
There are arts exhibits that don't get any media coverage. Lens on Atlanta presents the opportunity for every organization, community group or individual to share some information that can help us gain greater perspective and understanding of what our collective community is experiencing.
If you're reading this, please share your thoughts. Click on the headline of this post. Scroll down and leave a comment. I'd like to hear your thoughts.
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media atlanta community blogs news public square lens news media community citizen journalism reporting lens atlanta community news information social media news blog information citizen journalism new media
Personally, what I enjoyed most about 2009 was watching my son Devin grow from little helpless being, to a walking, babbling little boy. Friends and family told me to enjoy these precious moments and time has flown by as predicted.
Professionally, I embarked on a new social media venture at Public Broadcasting Atlanta. You're looking at the labor of my work, Lens on Atlanta. It has been an exciting and innovative project for PBA, and though the community is very much in its infancy, overall we're pleased with the progress.
The greatest challenge has been getting people to contribute and participate in the conversations, but that is expected with a new venture like this. Lens on Atlanta represents a paradigm shift in the way that Public Broadcasting does business. PBA is a traditional broadcasting organization in every sense of the word, and a learning curve is required as people become aware and learn how social media can be beneficial.
What I do know is that social media enables people to share their experiences, observations, and even break news. We all have stories to tell and share. It's important that we do so because it can help us understand our neighbors, community, and world better.
Have a safe and happy new year, and we'll talk some more in 2010.
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media atlanta community blogs news public square lens news media community citizen journalism reporting lens atlanta community news information social media news blog information citizen journalism new media lens atlanta happy new year social media news information
After days of soaking rains the floods came. The news is quick to cover weather, and so are everyday people it seems. After logging into the Lens on Atlanta Twitter account, I quickly noticed that many of the people I follow were talking about the #atlflood. That is the hashtag that metro Atlantans used on Twitter to share information about the floods.
Twitter is a great way to keep up with the latest info when news is happening.
It's also great for monitoring what the people are seeing and learning. Here are some examples:
cassinator It's raining so much in ATL that my brand new roof is leaking. BRAND NEW. And it's flooding... check out #atlflood for updates.
walkerdl RT @ajc: Cobb County sending middle schoolers home early, at 1:15p.m. #atlflood
valueswevalue flooding reminds me of what happened to my house when hurricanes cindy and dennis came to call a few summers ago in Atlanta area #atlflood
jonathansaar I have never felt so helpless-- water pouring into apartment #atlflood
News organizations can't be everywhere, but by monitoring Twitter and hastags, you can get a comprehensive view of what is going on at any moment.
Here are a few ideas how to use Twitter to monitor major events like weather:
Use www.search.twitter.com to search a hashtag, or key word. In this case, the community adopted the #atlflood hashtag.
Use www.tweetgrid.com or www.tweetchat.com to follow #hashtaged tweets. These sites aggregate all of the hashtags, and update the stream constantly. It's great because you can easily retweet messages which are all in real time.
Twitcaps is great for searching for photos that have been uploaded to Twitter. You can search by username, or hashtag to see all photos related to an event.
I've really been thinking about how we can integrate Twitter with Lens on Atlanta. Please register, share your thoughts and stay dry.
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media atlanta community blogs news public square lens news media community citizen journalism reporting lens atlanta community news information social media news blog information citizen journalism new media lens atlanta happy new year social media news information news weather atlanta floods twitter flooding citizen journalism
I had the opportunity to attend the inauguration ceremony for Atlanta's new Mayor Kasim Reed.
Though I planned to video some of the event, I found that the quality of my trusted cell phone wasn't good enough from where I was sitting.
A packed crowed filled the Atlanta Civic Center to first listen to the soulful sounds of the Howard University Choir. I used Twitter to share what I saw and heard.
The swearing in ceremony included newly elected municipal judges, Atlanta City Council members, City Council President Caesar Mitchell followed by Kasim Reed.
Click here to read the full transcript of his inaugural speech.
Reed pledged to get right to work, and afterwards spoke about the key issues at the monthly Kiwanis Club of Atlanta meeting where he made his State of the City Address.
Meanwhile, City Council President Caesar Mitchell went right to work as reported by Maria Saporta.
When I moved to Atlanta in 2006, Shirley Franklin has just been elected so this will be my first experience with a new city administration.
The key issues facing the city are: finances; water; education; crime; and transportation. I currently don't live in the city, but all eyes tend to focus on the Atlanta since it's the capital, and the main economic engine for the state.
Tags: amani channel news journalism media atlanta politics news mayoral race education transportation news twitter information social media atlanta community blogs news public square lens news media community citizen journalism reporting lens atlanta community news information social media news blog information citizen journalism new media lens atlanta happy new year social media news information news weather atlanta floods twitter flooding citizen journalism city county mayor atlanta news politics government
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