The future of environmental journalism is interactive and online, according to Richard Black, environmental correspondent with the BBC News website. Media reports should offer audiences a variety of content options, Black told audience members at UBC School of Journalism Lunch Hour Lecture Friday afternoon.
Coverage can range from a staple article to videos and reports, all of which should allow online news audiences to expand their knowledge of a subject.
The trick is to keep these reports informative. It’s not worth it to include a picture slideshow of images of endangered monkeys in news coverage, Black cautions, unless there is also information attached on why people should care.
That, he said, will separate mainstream media reports from other sources of news.
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How could the media be evolving if Europe’s broadcast companies are adapting popular American television programs and game shows?
François Heinderyckx, professor at Université Libre de Bruxelles in the Department of information and communication sciences gave a talk today at UBC Institute of European Studies addressing the issue of modeled contemporary programs and how they are creating new trends that are specific to European media.
The conference kicks off this evening Friday, November 9 with a keynote by Prof Alfred Hermida entitled “Reimagining Science Journalism”.
Here’s the abstract of the talk:
The way audiences are getting news and information about science is changing, with the Internet emerging as a key resource. The challenge is how to revitalize science journalism for a digital age. The web can offer new ways of engaging with audiences by capitalising on the interactive and participatory attributes of the Internet to convey the wonder of science.
The event takes place at the Wedgewood Hotel in downtown Vancouver. Light refreshments will be served.
Dear conference registrants,
Welcome to Future Directions in Science Journalism!
Thank you for your interest in our conference and for registering. We look forward to seeing you this weekend.
PROGRAM
I hope you have been checking back at our Web site www.sciencejournalism.net regularly. As you may have already noticed, you can now find the full conference program as a PDF file (1.8 MB). A printed copy of the program will be provided with your registration package.
Within the program you will find information about getting to UBC and a map of the downtown core that indicates the accommodation we recommended.
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For those of you visiting from out of town, here are some notes on getting to UBC by car and by transit.
By public transit
The following bus routes will get you to UBC: #4, 9, 17, 25, 41, 43, 44, 49, 84, 99, 258 and 480. Please visit the Translink Web site for schedule information. Keep in mind that some routes operate only during peak periods. Note especially that the #44 Express from downtown Vancouver operates on weekdays only. Also note that diesel buses and trolley buses stop at different bus loops on campus. Depending on your route, the trip will take between 30 and 40 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
If you are coming from downtown on Saturday morning your best bet is hopping on the #4 or the #17 along Howe St. (more…)