No One in Journalism Actually Collaborates. We’re Trying to Fix That.

We are trying to revolutionise the news industry.

We imagine news that has broken free from centuries-old methods. We picture articles that have escaped the problematic tradition of a single voice, perspective and ego. We imagine a new kind of collaboration.

Traditional journalism is a one-man band

Traditionally, producing an article goes something like this: You are a journalist. You find a subject, you do some research, you start writing. You discover your research is inadequate, so you do some more. You interview someone. Maybe you run it by a colleague, who has an idea that you implement. Re-write. In time, you present your work to your editor. She has some comments and offers perspectives you failed to think of. Annoyed by your lack of insight, you re-write. Eventually, your work gets approved for printing.

Several people have contributed to the writing process. So, collaboration, right? Perhaps, but not to its greatest potential.

We believe this process is borderline lunacy in today’s world. In the spirit of information sharing, we think the field of journalism can be vastly improved with works created by whole diverse, multidisciplinary teams. Each contributor’s research, skills, views and voice blend to make something more dimensional and balanced than what we are accustomed to reading.

‘The Press’ in action

Agile journalism empowers collaboration

To counter the outdated traditions of journalism, we try to build upon multiple creative works simultaneously, in small iterations, together.

This process isn’t new. We’re inspired by how software engineers manage to create complex creative productions with teamwork. This super-smart group of people calls it agile working.

Usually, agile teams first identify the goal of a project, then work on the project with the sole aim of achieving that goal. Enabled by breaking it up into smaller tasks that can be fulfilled by individual team members. This way, the project keeps its momentum, and every team member can choose jobs that suit her or his strengths, quickly building upon one another’s work. All these smaller tasks then coalesce to form the whole. Even better, everyone can execute the tasks in the way they think best serves the larger goal.

In our version of this process, every little contribution of a team member adds value to the whole. Articles are continuously built upon from our different perspectives and researched until they are well-rounded creative works. The words you are reading right now are produced in this way.

Increasing creative freedom by working together

In many contexts, collaboration signals the need for constant compromise or constraint. But we see that collaborating can also increase creative liberties. At New Atoms, no one is stuck in a rigid job description — we are free to explore whatever interests us, and everyone can contribute to everything. We weave our additions into the greater whole by finding solutions based on what we each know, enjoy, and can do.

With our way of collaborating, solutions emerge that no one individual could ever expect. Things develop from multiple perspectives. A collaboration that harnesses individual talent. Enabling us to go beyond the conventions and constraints of traditional journalism into newer and more fruitful territories.

Enabling an agile workflow best situates us to use our talents within our team. We (and our work) are benefitting from the complimentary talents and insights of others, working in a new kind of collaboration to deliver creative works.

We’d love to hear it if you have any questions, are interested in what we do, or are plainly offended by our article. We’re @NewAtoms on Twitter or you can mail us on helpdesk@newatoms.com.