Week 8 – Stomp
Anyone can be a journalist. Photo by Jodie Grzeschka.
Mobile phones have not only made us more accessible to the world but the world more accessible to us.
Apart from the usual mobile phone capabilities of ringing and staying in contact with people, we are able to use other functions on the phone that help to contribute to our communities.
There is also the option of keeping up with breaking news when you are not able to use the internet or turn on a radio.
I can remember during the Schapelle Corby verdict, I was out of the office and wanted to keep up with what was happening – so what did I do? I subscribed to ninemsn news updates and had text messages sent to my mobile.
Many newspapers around the world, who are encouraging us to become citizen journalists, have grasped technology changes and are using it to benefit us and themselves.
Use the camera or video function on your mobile to capture news as it happens and then send it to online newspapers for possible online and print publication.
All news can be covered.
Singapore’s The Straits Times introduced STOMP (Straits Times Online and Print) in June 2006 and it has had overwhelming success.
Citizens are all wired up and ready to report on any issues that emerge during their day.
Using this form of technology has also allowed the younger generations to become interested in the news around them, encouraging them to take an interest in their society and in the media.
Younger generations will always embrace and utilise new technology and it is fantastic to see the world’s media as doing the same.
Image taken from STOMP webpage http://www.stomp.com.sg/
