FORMER SFIST EDITOR, BROCK KEELING, THINKS THE WORD ‘DIGITAL JOURNALISM’ IS SILLY
Print journalism is dying, and therefore news itself is dying. This is a thought shared by a large portion of the public, particularly those accustomed to the old-fashioned form of news. They reminisce on the days of young, minimally paid children riding their bikes, gracefully throwing the daily newspaper onto their doorsteps, as the man of the house, dressed neatly in his business suit, steps out to pick it up in one hand while holding a hot cup of joe in the other.
Times have changed. The new term being thrown around by media consumers today is ‘digital journalism’, referring to journalism platforms being found online. This term is separating journalism into two different realms: print vs. online. People are saying that the entire field of journalism is doomed.
Brock Keeling however, entirely disagrees.
“It’s a way of centerizing old school journalism,” Keeling says. “The two should be meshed together right now. It’s silly.”
Former SFist editor, and current 7×7 writer, Brock Keeling has made a home for himself in the world of online, local Bay Area journalism. Born in Southern California, Keeling made his way up North when studying literature at the University of Santa Cruz. After some persistence from his professors, Keeling decided to pursue writing and moved to San Francisco in 1997. Instead of opting for the daily newspapers such asThe San Francisco Chronicle or San Francisco Examiner, it was the alternative weekly newspapers which enticed Keeling. He got a job at SF Weekly as both a receptionist and classifieds coordinator, or a “glorified gopher” as he put it.
After numerous attempts to join the editorial team at SF Weekly, Keeling decided to take matters into his own hands. In 2000 he started two blogs talking about himself and his adventures in San Francisco. Finally, Keeling managed to join the editorial staff at SF Weekly. Despite the not so glamorous salary, Keeling enjoyed being able to immerse himself in the city and add his own voice while writing about it. After five years of being at SF Weekly, Keeling became the first editor of online San Francisco magazine, the SFist, where he spent seven years of his journalism career before moving on to his current position at 7×7.
Keeling is obviously no newbie to journalism, or San Francisco. His interest in writing about the city stems from the Wonderland-esque atmosphere it has through the people, events, and voices.
“It’s a fun city to write about,” Keeling says. “There’s so much politics, a lot of drama. It’s a very small area with a lot of different opinions because it’s so rapidly changing.”
This change has a lot to do with mostly every journalism outlet switching to online. Keeling personally enjoys this switch because it allows him to see what journalists are willing to stick around to see where online journalism will take them.
“It’s kind of like the silent era of movies when talkies came about,” Keeling analogizes. “Some silent actors couldn’t handle it and went away, and some rose to the occasion.”
San Francisco in particular is home to a large amount of local, online journalism platforms. Now that we are in a time where online journalism is not only relevant, but expected, what does it take for one site in particular to stand out amid the sea of competing magazines?
“It needs to be original, have an angle,” Keeling says. “A strong, unique voice and personality that people can identify with and grab a reader’s attention.”
Popular Bay Area online magazines such as 7×7, the SFist, as well as the recently passed Bold Italic, sell the city of San Francisco itself as well as its inhabitants. Local journalism allows its audience to feel connected to what they’re reading. These publications also draw in their readers by adding quirky headlines, a witty tone, and news that Bay Area natives really relate to.
As opposed to those media traditionalists who glamorize print journalism, Keeling thinks that the quality of news has actually gotten better since the switch to online.
“I never fetishized the Sunday morning coffee-New York Times scenario,” Keeling says. “I like reading unique voices and the things I’ve been able to read I never would have been able to read in print.”
A popular argument in favor of online journalism is the voice it brings to those who wouldn’t be heard through traditional news platforms. Being online lets people of lower socio-economic class, minorities, women, etc. voice opinions, post their thoughts, and engage with peers in an equal, and safe environment.
“We have lost a lot of really great writers, but what we’ve gained is much more important in terms of different voices people can hear,” Keeling says. “It levels the playing field.”
Online media has given visibility to the peoples’ voices. Power is now in their hands to decide what they want to read and what news platforms they prefer. While Keeling thinks this has its benefits, he also acknowledges the dangers this power can have on what people begin to define as ‘news’. Buzzfeed, a website specializing in viral media and entertainment news, has gained popularity within the younger news audience. Sites like this have begun gaining the reputation as news sites, while incorporating popular culture media such as photos, gifs, and videos.
Along with accessibility, online journalism provides a platform where other forms of media such as video, audio, and photos can be used in a story. While sometimes this media can distract a reader from a story’s content, it can also be a great tool to strengthen it.
“It depends on the story,” Keeling says. “If I want a breaking news story I don’t want to click on something and then watch a whole news report, that drives me nuts. But if it’s something about a new video or something caught on tape I definitely want to see it, I don’t want to just read about it. It adds another layer, another dimension.”
The relationship between digital media and news media is surely increasing, and will continue to do so as new technologies emerge. The future and quality of journalism may be a debated topic among news consumers, but it can be assured that as long as people have a way to access journalism, it will always have a place in culture.
Click on the link provided below to read some of Brock Keeling’s pieces in 7×7.
