MEDIA CONVERGENCE
The Los Angeles Times is using media convergence via its website www.losangelestimes.com. While it continues to publish its print newspaper, the website is now an increasingly important aspect of its media delivery. This is a form of structural convergence. The Los Angeles Times is distributing news in a different format than the traditional print newspaper. In addition to the same articles that are in the print edition of the paper, the website includes updates on the stories, breaking news, and expanded photo galleries.
Another way the Los Angeles Times is converging is by using social media. The paper now has a facebook pages http://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=los%20angeles%20times&init=quick&tas=0.9095692945272094#!/latimes and http://www.facebook.com/#!/latimescitybeat. Links to articles are posted to their wall. Readers of the newspaper can now read the articles and comment right on to the papers facebook page.
Both the Website and the facebook page are examples of a new form of distributing news. Readers no longer need to buy a traditional print copy of the Los Angeles Times.
The Los Angeles Times is also practicing tactical convergence by sharing video footage from television stations. By partnering with TV stations they are able to post videos to their website, such as http://www.latimes.com/videogallery/72200751/News/Concern-Over-SDUSD-Bond-Measures.
MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM
The photojournalist Enrico Martino uses multimedia journalism in his video http://multimedia.photojournale.com/mexico-el-dia-de-los-muertos/ .
The short video is made up photos, sound, and text. It documents the Day of the Dead celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. Martino also has a photo essay on the same subject found at http://www.enricomartino.com/main.php?lang=ingo.
This is an example of presentation convergence. Martino can appear in a print newspaper to accompany a story. However the photo essay and video are stand-alone pieces that can be shared in many ways, such as the photographer’s website or through social media.
Information-gathering convergence is also demonstrated here. The journalist is acting both as photographer and storyteller. He is now required to be well versed in photography, writing, and videos technology to create compelling multimedia journalism pieces.
Sandy Brambila
Martino's work definitely exemplifies the many skills contemporary journalists are expected to possess. (Sounds like he is a very busy guy!) Your description of the convergence taking place at the LA Times overlaps with multimedia reporting, I think. The one aspect you wrote about that best illustrates this trend is the newspaper's partnership with tv stations.
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