The students in the Holtzbrinck-Schule für Journalismus are a smart and engaged group. They are already journalists employed at one of the Holtzbrinck media group titles: Die Zeit, Handelsblatt, Tagesspiegel and Wirtschaft Woche.
I feel privileged to be invited to teach them at various points during their two-year program. It is always exciting to work with these students, all of whom return to their respective newsrooms at the end of the training. This visit was no exception.
My goal was to discuss the two revolutions currently taking place in newsrooms: mobile storytelling or mobile first, and, of course artificial intelligence.
The first day of training we covered mobile storytelling with these takeaways:
- Mobile-first storytelling is essential due to the high percentage of news consumption on mobile devices. This requires a shift from traditional print-based rectangular content to a vertical, scrolling format optimized for smaller screens.
- Linear storytelling for mobile emphasizes vertical scrolling and incorporates multimedia elements, demanding a new approach to journalism.
- Critical issues in mobile storytelling include capturing attention quickly, adapting to reader interruptions, utilizing video and audio effectively, and prioritizing user experience.
- Visual elements like typography, grids, color palettes, and a consistent visual language are crucial for effective mobile storytelling. User experience, including ease of navigation, is also paramount.
- The mobile revolution presents both challenges and opportunities for journalists, emphasizing the need for adaptation and a mobile-first mindset.
We reviewed the following mobile stories are excellent examples:
TRASH COLLECTION IN NEW YORK CITY
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/03/02/upshot/nyc-trash-rules.html?searchResultPosition=1
WHERE SUBWAY CARS GO FOR REPAIR
NEW. How N Y times incorporates AUDIO in middle of paragraph—a Maria Callas story
Following that presentation, I engaged the students in a two-hour hands on exercise in which they took stories that are currently planned for their publications, or stories that have already appeared, and gave them a mobile first treatment. Here are some photos during their presentations:I
Artificial intelligence & prompt engineering
The second day of training we switched gears to Artificial Intelligence for content creation with emphasis on Prompt Engineering —or what I call the art of talking to the AI bots.
Again, the students worked on prompts for stories in which they are currently doing research, then presented their trials, errors and success with prompting.
Takeaway from the Prompting Exercise:
AI tools, particularly generative models, can assist journalists in creating content, brainstorming, or simplifying workflows.
However, how effective those AI tools are depends on the wording of the prompt sent to the bots.
We discussed the anatomy of a good prompt, demonstrating the importance of clarity, specificity, and context in prompt design.
Explore different kinds of prompts, such as informative (for facts), creative (for storytelling), and summarization (for condensing reports).We showed how adjusting words, and providing feedback can refine AI responses. Also engaged the students in the use of AI prompting for drafting headlines, summarizing reports, fact-checking, and brainstorming story ideas.
Our workshop deals with the two big revolutions facing editors
For me, it is imperative that editors approach content creation thinking in terms of mobile first.
Mobile first involves the type of transformation where all content is prepared thinking from small to large platform. Thinking small platform does not mean that the reporter conceptualizing a story for mobile consumption should not think BIG. So, plan from small to large, but think big in terms of the story content and the visual assets that go with it.
While mobile first is still elusive to so many newsrooms around the planet, here we are, in 2024, faced with an even bigger challenge not just knocking at our doors, but already IN: Artificial Intelligence.
Transformation and a change of mentality to face these challenges is the first step. Training and education to tackle them with a sense of focus and direction is essential.
That’s where our Garcia Media workshops come in
Our Garcia Media Mobile Storytelling workshops introduce your editorial team to the way we write, edit and design for mobile platforms. This one-day program includes a presentation and a hands-on workshop. We’ve added a new segment about AI for content creation.
Newsrooms around the planet have gone mobile-first after a Garcia Media workshop!
Our Garcia Media Mobile Storytelling workshops are proven to introduce your editorial team to the way we write, edit and design for mobile platforms. It is a one-day program that involves a presentation (where I summarize my Columbia University class content), and follow it with a hands on workshop.
For details, to customize, and to book: mario@garciamedia.com
Media predictions for 2024
Every year, Harvard University’s Nieman Lab publishes what selected media people predict for journalism in the following years. You can find my own prediction here;
https://www.niemanlab.org/2023/12/ai-takes-center-stage/
Start writing or type / to choose a block
How we use AI
Honored to be mentioned here:
https://www.newsroomrobots.com/p/how-10-news-industry-leaders-use
Order my AI book here:
https://thaneandprose.com/…/preorder-ai-what-to-expect…
Here is a chance to pre-order my new book about Artificial Intelligence and content creation. The first 25 copies sold will be signed! Order here:
https://thaneandprose.com/…/preorder-ai-what-to-expect…
Reviews for AI book:
Did you read The Story yet?
I urge you to consult my latest book, The Story, a trilogy full of tips and explanations about mobile storytelling, which represents the latest genre for journalists to explore. See information below:
The full trilogy of The Story now available–3 books to guide you through a mobile first strategy. Whether you’re a reporter, editor, designer, publisher, corporate communicator, The Story is for you! https://amazon
Volume 1: Transformation
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-story-volume-i/id1480169411
Volume Two: Storytelling
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-story-volume-ii/id1484581220
Volume Three: Design
https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-story-volume-iii/id1497049918
Order the print edition of The Story, from Amazon, here:
TheMarioBlog post #4004