What

A selection of tools for journalists working in the multimedia age

As a variety of screens, equipment and innovative devices develop each year, journalists and media houses find themselves having to keep up with the latest technology and trends. As these evolve day-by-day and as the content of public broadcasting is pushed to become ever more multi-media, it is important to find out how to facilitate this transition and how different kinds of equipment can improve reporting and good quality content.

Below is a list of the tools we found that might be of use to journalists, broadcasters and media organisations who are working in an increasingly multi-platform world or who are simply making the first steps into incorporating more multimedia elements in their work. The list is divided into sections (audio, mobile, video, photography, writing) each containing their own tools and tips. The list will be updated regularly but if you think we have missed anything, let us know by emailing editor@publicmediaalliance.org.

7 tips to improve your podcasts

In this list by Ijnet, you will find advice on how to make the most out of your podcasts and unlock their potential. Inspired by a workshop hosted at the 2017 GEN Summit in Vienna, this list includes storytelling tips, examples and strategies.


Anchor

With this free social audio app, you can turn audio products recorded from your phone into podcasts in one click and post them to the main podcasting platforms, such as Apple Podcasts and Google Play. You can set up your podcast through the app and all the other episodes will be uploaded automatically to that list. Read more about Anchor in this article by Nieman Lab.


Equipment you need to start your own podcast

Podcasting is becoming a popular choice among journalists and other media professionals to share their work in a different way and discuss the news. The Columbia Journalism Review put together a list of equipment essentials needed to venture in the world of podcasting, briefly analysing each tool.


Recordly

An all-in-one recording and transcription tool which journalists can use to record an interview, highlight and bookmark passages, manage drafts and send. It also allows the user to share quotes on social media. It charges US$2 per hour of transcribed audio. It is currently only available on Apple devices, with a good integration with Apple Watch that allows the user to monitor and control the recording remotely.


The ear training guide for audio producers 

A good sound is key to any quality multimedia product. Produced by NPR, this audio guide leads readers through solving the most common editing, mixing and recording problems such as distortion, handling noise and more. It also helps readers to identify problematic audio via a quiz and provides links to useful resources.


 Webinar: Understanding common audio production problems

This webinar, hosted by NPR teaches anyone interested in working with audio how to hear the most common audio problems and how to prevent them, with a series of examples, how-to’s, tips and advice. 

5 Go-To Mobile Journalism Apps By BBC Academy Trainer Marc Settle

BBC journalists are a varied lot, based around the world doing a huge range of jobs. But certain apps consistently stand out as being useful – regardless of role. You can do lots using the stock iOS apps – but these will help you go further. [Text by JournalismTools]


20 tools and apps for digital journalists

This wide range of tools encompasses many aspects of a journalists’ work. From audio and storytelling, to productivity, timelines and search tools, this list is a useful all round for those who want to make the most out of their smartphones in their work life.


Best apps for live streaming videos

This article by Ijnet lists and compares three different live-streaming services – Facebook Live, Kanvas for Tumblr and Periscope and also looks at YouTube’s live features. The article analyses strengths and weaknesses so you can see what each service offers and which one is the right one for you.


Top apps for journalists: Spring 2017

Mobile apps increasingly play a key role in journalism, becoming essential tools for media professionals. This selection of apps, rated by students at the Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication analyses and critiques each tool, ranking it and explaining its use.

7 podcasts for photojournalists and visual storytellers

A list by Ijnet of regularly updated podcasts for photojournalists covering news, gears, tips, trends, new platforms, interviews with professional photographers and much more.


How photojournalists can protect themselves in risky environment

Photojournalism can be a risky profession, especially in hostile environments and conflict zones. This article by Ijnet provides journalists with a range of tips and advice on how to protect themselves and their work in risky areas.


How to take better photos with your phone

Smartphones can be a great photography tool. But how best to harness their potential? This article by Journalism.co.uk features a list of examples, tools and advice for journalists wanting to use their smartphones as photojournalism tools.


Photojournalism tips

This is an extensive list of tips made by Poynter News University to improve and reflect on your photojournalism skills. They list ranges from tips on photo captioning to editing, subject and shooting techniques. Most of the tips are referenced and sourced from previous courses.


Photojournalism tips for following up on protests

Covering protest movements and uprisings is a challenge. However, following up on the work done on the ground can often be more challenging and often overlooked. This article by Ijnet shares tips on how to follow up, including talking to people, to the police and to victims of violence.


Smartphone journalism: photographs

This guide by the BBC Academy will show you how to use your phone to take compelling pictures. The guide include tips on how to adjust the camera’s focus, tweak the exposure, work on lights and brightness and much more.


Telling visual stories: tips for photojournalists

In this article, ABC Australia news photographer Giulio Saggins explores the best techniques to take photos for your work, from tips on how to hold your camera to finding the best angle and complement photos with a human touch.


Working with traumatic imagery

Being exposed to traumatic imagery from conflict zones, natural disasters and crimes can be part of a media professional’s job. The Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma has compiled a list of six practical things media professionals can do to cope with the traumatic imagery they often encounter during their work, either as photographers, cameramen, or simply as onlookers from far way. Also available in Arabic and French.

Four tools to help you write faster and easier

This short list puts together some of the most useful apps and tools journalist can use when writing their stories, collecting information, taking notes, writing scripts for videos or collect and arrange ideas.


How to write better headlines

Writing a good, eye catching and complete headline is a harder task than it seems. Ijnet have put together a list of tips with examples on how to improve headlines writing and the do’s and don’ts.

360° videos

Videos that can show all sides of the story are becoming increasingly popular and also a very compelling way to tell a story. Here you can find 6 tips on learning how to shoot 360° videos and here you can get advice on how how to find captivating stories that can be adapted to 360° videos.


Tips for better drone journalism 

Here and here you can find two lists of handy advice on how to shoot and complement your storytelling with drone footage, including what you need to know about laws, maps and shooting techniques.