The smart newsroom Knowledge management and convergence

1. The smart newsroomKnowledge managementand convergence Dr Stephen Quinn Ball State University Muncie, IN, USA squinn@bsu.edu (squinn@usc.edu.au from Feb 2005) Presentation to the Center for Journalism and Further Education (CFJE) and CCI-Europe 25 November 2004

2. A little about myself • Full-time journalist 1975-90 in all media, in 4 countries • Part-time journalist and almost full-time journalism teacher 1991-95 • Full-time academic 1996-current • Always a practitioner (freelance writer and editor) • Trained journalists in 7 countries • Written 6 books. Knowledge Management in the Digital Newsroom appeared February 2002 • 3 books on convergence will be published in 2005 • Sole academic on Newsplex Counsel (see www.newsplex.org)

3. Overview of today • Assumptions this presentation based on • Hierarchy of data, information and knowledge • Emergence of convergence worldwide • Potential influence of KM on journalism • Some thoughts on KM & convergence

4. Some assumptions • GIGGO: garbage in gives garbage out • Converse applies: quality information vital for good journalism and good democracy • Huge increase worldwide in data & information • Journalist as filter more necessary than ever • To do better journalism means we need smarter and better-qualified journalists • Given people are main cost and resource, it’s also smart to improve the intellectual capital in the newsroom • Paradox: Journalists smart people who sometimes do stupid things with information and data • Remain a pleasure to work with • Technology a major driver

5. Diffusion of innovation at media organizations • Much known about how innovations enter an organization • My research: convergence and newsrooms • To summarize: Diffusion influenced by: • Ease of use of technology • Peer recommendations (“heroes”) • Convenience • Chance to play • “Comfort” levels • Availability of explanation • More complex the technology the more the need for better training

6. Culture influences diffusion • People forget that innovations are also entering a culture • Vital to know about the culture – in the newsroom and in the country. Varies from place to place • Each newsroom is a unique environment • As air to a bird or water to a fish • Yet many newsrooms look similar around the world • Question: Where are these newsrooms?

9. A little historical context • Agrarian age (10,000 years ago): Survival • Industrial age (1760s onwards): Pollution • Information age (1940s): Privacy • Knowledge age (now/soon): Ethics • Intangibles more important than tangible assets • Microsoft more valuable than Boeing (physical versus intellectual property) • Era of the “knowledge worker” • Collaborative, non-linear, customized, fast • Ethics more vital than ever in an age of speed • Era of life-long learning

10. Hierarchy of data, information and knowledge Knowledge (special information) Information (processed data) Data (raw facts)

11. Types of knowledge • Explicit knowledge • Can be recorded and stored • Databases, intranets, Internet, filing cabinets • Easy to duplicate and • Tacit knowledge • What’s in people’s heads • Knowledge is a social construct • Connected with experience • Difficult to duplicate; produces unique content • Einstein: ‘The only source of knowledge is experience’ • What happens when people leave?

12. Convergence worldwide • 7 in 10 newspaper executives worldwide said reporters had formal duties > 1 media • Giner 2001, Innovation International survey • 3 in 4 WAN members (73%) reported convergence “starting to happen” • Stone 2002 survey • Convergence in 33/50 US states at 79 news organizations as of October 2004 • API’s Convergence Tracker: http://www.mediacenter.org/

13. KM and convergence A re-defined newsroom: - From production to information base • KM helps the transition to convergence • Both involve 3 main changes • Attitude or mindset • Flexibility, collaboration and co-operation • “Co-opertition” • Physical: Moving the furniture; location • Changed structures • Geography influences information flow • Technology as an enabling tool • Changing attitudes to technology • Journalists need more skills

14. 1.Changing mindset • Probably most difficult and time consuming • Saffo’s 30-year rule • Leadership vital for convergence & KM to occur • Different attitudes • To time (24x7); perpetual deadlines • Working in teams; communities of interest • Strengths and weaknesses of each medium • Need for more flexible approach to roles • Converged newsroom different from traditional newsroom • ‘Change way people see themselves’ (John Haile) • Need for multi-media mindset

15. 2. Changing environment • Future newsroom will look different • Saf Fahim, Archronica Architects: traditional newsrooms ‘inhibit creative thinking’ • Many look like industrial-age factories • They generate stress which kills creativity • Jim Foundy ‘journalists nice people who do not work in nice places’ • Where do newspapers tend to be located? • ‘Building a new factory’ • Multi-media desks at Tampa Tribune, World Company in Lawrence, Kansas and Orlando Sentinel in Tampa. Show SQ’s slides • First 2 photos courtesy Archronica Architects

18. Newsplex, U of South Carolina

19. Newsplex, U of South Carolina

20. World Company, Lawrence Kansas

21. Multi-media desk World Company, Lawrence

22. Tampa Tribune m-m desk

23. NewsLink Indiana, Ball State U

24. U of Mississippi student media

25. NYTimes continuous news desk

26. 3. Better use of technology • Embrace the digital revolution • Hire people comfortable with technology • Use technology more effectively • History of technology introduction not positive • Northrup: Newsrooms ‘full of digital technology and full of digital problems’ • Appropriate training vital • Tools produce new forms of reportage • Smith: Each new tool ‘catalyst for a new type of journalism’ • Tools for KM and convergence • Intranets, XML, databases, wireless, open systems • NewsGear 2005: Moblogs, Visual Communicator Pro • Need for tools to integrate platforms: NewsGate

27. Leadership very important • KM boosts move to convergence • Knowledge processes the key • Plus cross-media software • Communication vital • People need to see the reasons for change • Thelen: ‘About the time you’re getting bored hearing yourself talk, you’re just beginning to really communicate effectively’ • Training, training, training • Get the right people and make training appropriate • See it as an investment in intellectual capital • Foster collaboration • People like working in groups if environment appropriate • Potential of synergy (eg Maeil Business Daily)

28. Suggestions for introducing KM and convergence • Give people the chance to play • Lessens fears and embarrassment • Instigate KM processes • Converge people: Common beats • CKO • Move the furniture around: MM desk as hub with desks as spokes • Provide incentives for sharing • Establish symbols of convergence • For example: Multi-media desk • Publicize successes • Use visual displays

29. Concluding remarks • Success in knowledge age will depend as much on intangibles as production tools • KM potentially a great tool, especially if introduced along with convergence • Chance for people to work smarter • Needs new mindset; needs leaders • Digital technology changing journalism rapidly, and forever • Ethics more vital than ever • Impossible to do ethics in 1/250 second • So are training and education • Other issues: citizen journalists, we media

30. Thank you for the kind invitation Questions? • squinn@bsu.edu • squinn@usc.edu.au from Feb 2005