Journalism’s Rewrite

Our culture's need for instant information is changing the face of journalism. Specifically, this demand has produced a new kind of multimedia professional: the backpack journalist. This professional is a self-sufficient news source with mobile publishing capability--usually a blog or website. Since average joe became CNN's i-reporter, mass communication students and graduates must ramp up their game. In true entrepreneurial spirit, he or she should always be ready to gather the visual, textual and audio story.

One such journalist, Jared Silfies, is equipped with a 13-point pack list, which he calls a "mobile journalism kit." He explains, "Basically if I'm in a wireless hotspot I can publish anything either to my college's newspaper site, this blog or anywhere else."

His backpack includes: a planner to keep track of appointments and interviews, a reporter's notebook to dash down notes, a laptop to type and upload stories, a wireless mouse to avoid using the annoying touch pad, a digital camera for better photos than those from a cell phone, and 2.5 G of space on flash drives.

Also in his goodie bag is a multi-tool, which, I can only imagine doing illegal things with! Other essentials include a cell phone and an ipod. The ipod is great for uploading stored music and audio to accompany multimedia slide shows. A power adapter ensures mobile juice because he can't be wireless all the time.

Jared also sports a pocket protector with pens and pencils--this adds a touch of nerdy nostalgia. Finally, he totes around the ever-important Elements of Style, by Strunk and White. This proves that a writer is never too good to reference the basics.

Order the 50th Anniversary edition of Elements of Syle.