Ready for the media world
Young journalists and aspiring journalists gathered in Zurich last week for the first Swiss Youth Media Days. They made new connections and discussed journalism; they wrote, filmed, took photos, tweeted, and posted.
A somewhat more official round took place with the panel discussion on Friday evening, in which Patrik Müller (Editor-in-Chief of Der Sonntag), Hansi Voigt (still Editor-in-Chief of 20 Minuten online) and Alexandra Stark (Director of Studies at the Swiss School of Journalism MAZ) discussed the topic of "Journalism 24/7". How have modern media changed the work of journalists? After all, today you can access media and work from anywhere and are always available. Moderator and multimedia journalist Konrad Weber kicked off the discussion by asking whether journalists are particularly prone to burnout. None of the panel participants felt they were at risk of this. They emphasized the additional freedom provided by the new technologies, for example by being able to work at home or use their time on the road.
However, there was also agreement that journalists must negotiate the use of the new possibilities with themselves. It is important to decide for yourself when to communicate and when not to, said Stark. Müller emphasized that he did not want to become a slave to the devices: "When I was on the phone to the editorial team while changing a diaper, I thought: maybe it's too much now." And Voigt confessed that he avoids visiting 20min.ch on days off while surfing. As self-protection, so to speak. If he sees mistakes on the news portal, he has to take action, Voigt said. New media was not just a topic of conversation at the podium, it was also part of the program. The young journalists joined the debate via Twitter. The young media talents were particularly interested in what training a journalist needs. "Many roads lead to Rome," said Müller, who believes that a diverse editorial team in terms of education is desirable. More important to him than diplomas is what an applicant has already done or written. The outgoing editor-in-chief of 20 Minuten online emphasized that it is not so much the education as the will that is decisive. Although the proportion of academics in his editorial team is over 80 percent, Voigt estimated, he immediately put this into perspective: graduates may know how to recite definitions of text types. However, they only learn how to behave in an editorial office on the job.
In addition to many positive statements, Müller used the panel discussion to criticize the next generation of journalists. Many young people read too few newspapers, he said, which is detrimental to their writing skills. "Reading is writing, writing is reading. Just scrolling and scanning is not enough." He's also annoyed by the arrogance of young journalists who are too self-conscious to get into regional journalism. Writing a column about a local council debate is more demanding than commenting on the Obama-Romney TV duel.
Use in workshops
Journalism was not the only topic of discussion at the Media Days. At the partner NZZ Campus, workshops were held in which the participants learned the craft of journalism. Among other things, they learned how online research and data journalism works or what everyday life in a radio and television newsroom looks like. They took photo series, conducted interviews and produced their own radio and video reports. Some participants were also involved in the newsroom editorial team, which reported on the Media Days on an ongoing basis via various channels: in a blog, on Twitter and Facebook as well as with a magazine created especially for the Media Days, which was also published in printed form. Last but not least, the event offered entertainment and countless opportunities to network and celebrate. At aperitifs, a brunch, a concert by Basel band The Drops or in the Pfadihuus, the shared accommodation. No wonder the organizers and participants alike complained about a lack of sleep.
The JMT were organized by the Young Media Switzerland association based on the model of the German Media Days. Networking events are held regularly at regional and national level in the neighboring country to the north. The idea of launching the Youth Media Days in Switzerland was well received by the organizers. The workshops were already fully booked when the press association started promoting the event. After the event, co-project manager Luzia Tschirky drew a positive conclusion. "I am delighted and have received positive feedback from many participants." For Tschirky, it is conceivable that the event will be held again next year - if sponsors can be found. "The three days have shown that youth media days are filling a gap in Switzerland." Association president Felix Unholz also hopes that the event can establish itself. He hopes that the JMT will also have a publicity effect. "We want to show the industry that motivated young journalists are coming up through the ranks." The work of young journalists needs to be recognized and appreciated more.
Isabel Imper
In a nutshell
The association Young Media Switzerland (JMS) networks young media makers and youth media. As an umbrella organization, it represents the interests of young journalists by maintaining contacts with the media, foundations and government agencies. It advises media professionals on editorial and publishing problems and offers them a legitimation card in the form of the youth media card. JMS also finances and supports the Young Journalists Network founded by journalist Konrad Weber. ch. In addition to national networking, JMS promotes international contacts by enabling young media makers to participate in European youth press events at a reduced rate. The association's members include individual members as well as youth media, including the online magazine Negative White, the youth magazines Tink.ch and 4-Teens and the student internet radio station Kantipark.ch. The majority of young journalists are between 15 and 25 years old, with the youngest member aged just 13 and the oldest 30. More information is available at Jungemedien.ch.
"Social media is a parallel universe in which a lot happens. Take care of it!"
WW: You call yourself a journalist 2.0. Is the modern journalist primarily at home in Web 2.0?
Konrad Weber: Well, what is the modern journalist? Let's put it this way: I have found my home with social media. I like getting to grips with technology. The digital possibilities fascinated me from the very beginning. That's how I kept getting jobs and slowly slipped into it ...
Which jobs were these?
For example, I was able to help train NZZ journalists in the use of Twitter and show them the research possibilities in social media. During my internship at Swiss Radio and Television (SRF) last fall, I also reported interactively from the Bundesplatz as part of the "Treffpunkt Bundesplatz" format. My interest in social media got me noticed and I joined a project group that deals with how journalists should present themselves online and what options they have for research. Since the beginning of the year, I have been working in this project group at SRF for the information departments of radio and television.
What do you teach the journalists?
Together with my colleague Alexander Sautter, I tell them first and foremost that these platforms exist at all. Journalists don't necessarily have to be active on social media sites, but they should realize that there is a parallel universe in which a lot happens. I want to show them: Hey there's something there and take care of it. These worlds provide content that could be used for journalistic purposes.
How do journalists react to this: interested or rather skeptical?
I have led many courses in which the participants fought tooth and nail against social media. Many journalists felt that the current practice made sense and should be continued. "That's how we continue to do it." In these cases, it takes a lot of persuasion.
Are you mainly talking about the "old hands"?
No. I was amazed to see that some younger people between 25 and 30 also approach the subject with extreme skepticism. It's more a question of attitude than age.
How do you achieve a breakthrough with skeptics?
I show positive examples where the use of social media has worked. And examples from Switzerland. The assassination of Osama Bin Laden is a good example of how quickly the news went around the world on Twitter. But then the journalists say to me: "That's all well and good. But how can I use it in my day-to-day work as a local or national editor? " I show journalists the possibilities and opportunities for using social media in practice.
Can you give an example?
Before the Federal Council elections, some politicians shared rumors about colleagues with their followers on Twitter. This may not make for a top 1 story. But at least as a journalist you have some additional information and a knowledge advantage over those who don't use these channels. This shows again what my message is: If you don't want to be active, then at least look at what's happening. Look at what the people you deal with on a daily basis are doing on these channels.
You are dealing with the future of journalism. The media are good at painting a bleak picture. What is your forecast?
I am fighting very hard against this stubborn thesis that journalism is dying out. There will always be a need for good storytellers who process events and reduce complexity. At most, the channels will be replaced. Online media offer an additional opportunity to be active as a journalist and tell stories differently. The exciting thing about online journalism is that you can combine images, videos and interaction. You can finally get in touch with readers, listeners and viewers.
Interview: Isabel Imper
