Digital media comes in all sizes and forms. Without narrative or cut-and-dry stories, some writers and editors don’t know where to turn.

NPR, however, is using the Internet to its full advantage. Recently, NPR published a story called “Borderlands.” The piece follows a team of reporters along the US/Mexican border as they interview people on both sides and find details of the ongoing immigration from South to North.
In addition to the typical radio show the brand is known for, it also published a digital magazine. The magazine contained different chapters of content. The content ranged from family profiles on both sides of the borders, the history and composition of the border, to profiles of vendors just trying to make a living.

When the reader first accesses the site, he or she is confronted by a counter. The counter gives timely statistics on the transition of people from one side of the border to the other. It also gives statistics about drug seizures and arrests.

The longer the reader stays on the site, the higher the numbers climb.

The reader then goes into the story. Maps and history are presented first, giving the reader a feel for where and how these events are taking place. Then, the reader is able to delve into the personal stories of the people presented.

NPR presents these stories in a variety of ways. A small piece is dedicated to a short written story. Most, however are interactive photo galleries. Video is used as well, something a tangible magazine couldn’t accomplish.

By the end of the story, the reader has an emotional connection with the characters he or she has just interacted with. On the last page, the reader is once again confronted by the counter. The numbers have skyrocketed.

NPR accomplished a level of emotional draw on the reader. A level that is often hard to accomplish with only one type of media.