IRE – Wrapup: Now Citizen Journalists Can Join

The Investigative Reporters and Editors Conference in Miami is done.

From my last post you know that internet connection has been tough. I didn’t get any good video, if I had they would be the following.

1. Aron Pilhofer – discussing the difference between being "on the web" and "of the web."
2. IRE’s ammendment to their bylaws allowing people who are engaged in journalism "part-time" to join.

Let’s begin.

1. Aron Pilhofer from the New York Times gave a fantastic presentation about how newsrooms are re-organizing for the web. Aron has programming chops and a lot of the presentation was about using databases and web frameworks to assist your reporting.

But the really interesting point, for me at least, was at the beginning of his talk when he discussed the distinction between being "on the web" and "of the web." It is a distinction I’ve heard from Adrian Holovaty and apparently traces back to Derek Willis.

It’s an important distinction – to try and summarize: What’s the general feeling you get when you come to the NY Times screen that asks for your email and password before you can get to the story that originally brought your interest to the NY Times in the first place? I can tell you how it makes me feel. Annoyed. In fact, I don’t even give them my real email. I have a "crap" email account which I give to all newspapers when they ask for such information. I’m willing to bet a LOT of others do as well. Nobody likes it. The paper is "on the web."

Now – picture the screen you get to when you are about to log into Facebook. That is my real email address. Furthermore, I provide real pictures, demographic information and the connections I make via Facebook are legit. Facebook is "of the web."

The web connects people. The sooner news organizations can become a platform through which communities of people can converse – the more "of the web" they will be.

2. Perhaps it’s a small gesture, but it shouldn’t be discounted. Anyone can now join IRE as an associate member, able to take advantage of their resources and training workshops. Although the word "citizen journalist" is never used, everyone knew that’s exactly what we were discussing. In fact, I give kudos to IRE for not resorting to any specific label, just noting that some people are engaged in journalism "part-time." While these new members can’t vote on future amendments or board members, it’s a step in the right direction. It was nearly a unanimous decision, with only a few curmudgeons in the audience. So, if you want to build up some investigative reporting chops – IRE might be an organization to look into.