The Digital Content Expo 2018: WAN-IFRA President Michael Golden on What’s Ahead for Journalism
Post originally published on Superdesk.org
The digital revolution has changed journalism in myriad ways. The newsrooms of ten, even five years ago would be unrecognisable to young journalists in the newsrooms of today, with automation, VR technology and innovative storytelling methods having transformed the way journalists do their work.
There are few people who know this better than Michael Golden, who was appointed as the vice chairman of The New York Times Company in October 1997, working there for over a decade. Today he is, amongst other things, the president of WAN-IFRA, and recently gave a keynote speech at the organisation’s annual Digital Content Expo in Berlin. Ahead of the event, we caught up with him for a chat about his career, how the industry has changed and what he envisions for the future of journalism. Here’s what he had to say.
During your career you’ve worn many different hats, working for the New York Times, acting as president of WAN-IFRA, and sitting on the board of directors for the International Center for Journalists. What role have you enjoyed the most and why?
Working for The New York Times has been the most compelling experience in my career. The journalism of The Times is extraordinary. The strength of the journalism and the brand combine to attract smart, motivated colleagues that make working there a pleasure. And underlying it all is the critical role journalism and publishing play in society.
Since beginning at the New York Times, what are the biggest changes you’ve seen at the paper, and more generally in the journalism industry?
The development of digital delivery has been the most transformative. First, it put newspapers back into the business of delivering breaking news which meant a dramatic increase in the metabolism of the newsroom. Second it allows a one-to-one relationship. Third, it demanded change and incredible innovation in business practices and storytelling.
At Sourcefabric, our mission is similar to that at WAN-IFRA: to allow free, independent media to thrive. We do this through building open-source software for journalists. In what way has technology changed the way journalists work, and how do you think it can impact the future of journalism?
The changes have been profound. Data journalism has enabled a level of reporting that simply was too difficult or impossible in the past. Multimedia storytelling creates the opportunity for more emotional, impactful journalism. Publishers have new ways too. Expose and promote their journalism. And journalists have new insights into the way their audiences are involved, or not involved with their stories. All of these capabilities will only continue to grow.
Your keynote from this year’s Digital Content Expo this year was “Improve storytelling — for a more accurate, well-crafted journalism”. What kind of improvement does storytelling most urgently need at this moment?
This is a difficult question to answer. I believe there is a continuing opportunity to adapt storytelling to smartphones. Increased use of graphics, photos and video are also opportunities in my view.
And finally, what is the best example of innovative storytelling that you’ve seen during your career?
There are too many great examples to single out one or two. A good place to start are the digital awards given by WAN and others as well as the journalism awards around the world.
