News

Youth key to transforming newsroom culture: Belgium’s Didier Hamann

Having spent almost three decades of his professional life in newsrooms, including as Editor-In-Chief of Belgium’s leading Francophone daily, Didier Hamann knows a thing or two about newsrooms: what works, what doesn’t and what’s possible in the challenging print media environment. Now as managing Editor and General Manager of Le Soir he has overseen a pioneering initiative to change the culture of his newsroom and set an example for others facing similar problems. His solution: young people.

Australia: New anti-terror laws all-but-enacted a blow to press freedom

Phase one of the enactment of a tougher national anti-terrorism regime is almost complete for the Abbott Government, with controversial new laws having gained Senate endorsement.

Publishers need to ‘shout’ about their mobile services

The barriers that prevent mobile advertising from living up to its enormous potential will not stand in the way much longer, says Marjolein Stromeier, Head of Mobile at Mobext. Stromeier, who will address the upcoming 7th Tablet and App Summit in Amsterdam, says it will take two to three years to overcome those hurdles – but that should not discourage publishers.

L’Echo and De Tijd’s Nicolas Becquet on digital tools and platforms

Nicolas Becquet is a journalist and editorial developer at Mediafin, publisher of financial and economic newspapers L’Echo and De Tijd in Belgium. He is also a blogger and trainer who focuses on new online storytelling formats and innovation in journalism, social networks and mobile journalism. In addition, Becquet has developed a kit, the kit iReporter, for mobile journalism using smartphones and tablets.

NRC Q: Dutch business news app wants to be your ‘guide to the day’

The Dutch media house NRC Media launched NRC Q, its first digital-only publication, less than six months ago. This mobile news product targets busy business readers and is designed to create user engagement and integrate large ad units and native advertising.

Knight Foundation restructures to encourage use of digital journalism tools

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation is restructuring and expanding its journalism and media innovation staff in a bid to encourage the use and innovation of digital journalism tools in newsrooms. The slow rate at which newsrooms are using free digital tools will be discussed at the International Newsroom Summit in Amsterdam on 13-14 October.

The Washington Post’s Greg Barber on tool building to harness value of user comments

Greg Barber is the director of Digital News Projects at The Washington Post and has made a career of startups within news organisations. He is now working in collaboration with The New York Times and Mozilla to create an open sourced comment and user contribution platform.

World Young Reader Prize winners set high bar for news publishers’ youth engagement

Innovative news publishers from around the world with a commitment to youth engagement have been awarded a WAN-IFRA World Young Reader Prize for fostering a new generation of literate, civic-minded readers in their communities.

Oscar Pistorius trial a turning point for ‘social journalism’ in South Africa

It’s still the most talked about story in South Africa – the trial of Oscar Pistorius has been the country’s biggest judicial moment of the century. It’s also been their biggest social media moment, marking a turning point in the way local journalists and media use online platforms and deliver their news. Jessica Sparks analyses the data and the trends marked out in the #OscarPistorius social media story.

Alison Gow: ‘We get hung up on platforms – but understanding our audiences is more important’

Alison Gow is a journalist and blogger who has worked in the UK regional press for more than 20 years. As former editor of Wales on Sunday and the Daily Post, and now Editor of Digital Innovation at Trinity Mirror Regionals, she has led the charge in developing online journalism and innovative ways to tell stories in newsrooms.