The University of Blog

Journalism is all about communication. No matter the venue or the way of telling the story, reporting is still at the center of the field. Radio is going on the Internet. The Internet is going to phones. Phones are being used to upload stories to the Internet. All of this multimedia convergence is taking over the field. And reporters are tackling the challenges.

At SPJ we put on a convergence program with presenters that have worked in the multimedia field. They were not trained in online media, yet took on the new job descriptions since journalism is all about convergence.

Brent Martin, Managing Editor of MissouriNet discussed the problems of convergence including obscure working hours and increased workload with less funds to support those products. However, telling a story and communicating this is still the center of convergence. Jason Rosenbaum of the Columbia Daily Tribune, is a recent graduate and writes a blog for the newspaper. He spoke to the challenges of being a newspaper reporter as well as being a blogger. He said that once you get into the field, it is possible to learn how to take on the roles of convergence.

Our last speaker was Antionio French, Editor of PubDef, which is a St. Louis based political blog. French mentioned that this is really a product of today by feeling “cool and productive” through measuring the membership.and constant updates to get more readers.

I had the pleasure of attending the University Concert Series production of Mel Brook’s musical The Producers at Jesse Hall. My brother makes me so jealous when he says that he attended a performance of The Producers with Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane in Chicago before it opened in New York. However, I got to see the winner of twelve 2001 Tony Awards on Sunday night. Even though it was a traveling company without the original cast, it was absolutely fabulous and so funny. Easily one of the best Broadway shows that I have seen.
Dancing old ladies, sexual innuendos and colorful characters made the performance simply fabulous. I haven’t been able to go to enough professional shows this year. I remember when I as in highschool, we were able to get tickets for $5 and I would review the shows for the local newspaper. I miss this option. However, I hear that if a show is not sold out, that you can get a ticket for $6 for the remaining seats. I have not tested this theory, but the program is great.

Some upcoming shows include Evita, Kenny G, Moving Out, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hairpray and Ira glass. There is a diverse program and so many great show come into Columbia, it would be a crime to not take advantage of the great cultural offerings.