New sites show how digital media is helping drive innovation

The fact that developments in digital media are changing the face of journalism as we know it is not news to anyone. Supporters of the more traditional institution of journalism often view the speed and extent to which these developments are taking place somewhat anxiously. Undeniably, the development of digital media is affecting more institutionalised forms of journalism, however what is often not focussed on, as Mathew Ingram recently pointed out, is the positive side of this change – namely the dynamic innovation that digital developments not only facilitate but also encourage.

Popular Science cuts off comments – but could it damage content?

Online commenting issues are creeping above the line to become the main story for a number of digital publishers. As YouTube announces its plans to improve comments with a new Google+ enabled system, popsci.com declared its intention to remove commenting sections from its articles.

Mario García: What’s cooking with mobile and tablets

Nearly 70 companies will be presenting mobile and/or tablet publishing solutions at the World Publishing Expo from 7 to 9 October in Berlin. The range on offer covers the gamut of news publishers’ mobile activities. Visitors will have ample opportunity to find out from experts about all the latest trends in mobile publishing, both at the exhibit and in the various side events.

Washington Post launches Topicly, a new visual news platform

The Washington Post yesterday launched new visual reading feature ‘Topicly’ for its website and mobile platforms. Grouping articles by theme and then linking these under an image in a grid, the homepage is like a chequer board of different news topics, each leading to a wealth of relevant stories, commentaries, graphics and multimedia surrounding the issue.

Update: Horror and confusion as al-Shalab militants attack Nairobi’s Westgate Centre

The ongoing occupation of the Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, which started when armed al-Shabab militants raided the building and held those inside it hostage, has reportedly taken the lives of 62 people (according to the Red Cross Kenya’s newly revised count), including Radio Africa presenter Ruhila Adatia Sood. The reports on the events have been unclear and uncertain; death tolls have been contested and there is still confusion surrounding the specific reasoning behind the violence – though al-Shabab have recently said they carried out the attack in response to Kenyan military activity in Somalia.

George Brock’s Out of Print: Newspapers, Journalism and the Business of News in the Digital Age

In his newly published book, Out of Print: Newspapers, Journalism and the Business of News in the Digital Age, George Brock, former Times executive and current head of journalism at City University London, provides an insightful and detailed analysis of journalism through history and reviews the effects of the digital age on journalism’s current state, as well as its potential future.

Quartz reaps the rewards of its forward-thinking strategies

Any avid observer of news trends will have noticed that in 2013 the biggest pieces of ‘news news’ have been mobile-first strategies and sponsored content. Quartz magazine, launched a year ago, foresaw the potential of both of these trends and now seems to be reaping the rewards of being one step ahead of the curve.

Towards newsroom convergence and content divergence at Le Figaro

Le Figaro’s digital journey and newsroom organisation were the focus of the first masterclass of the Journalism School at Sciences Po University in Paris this week. Jean-Michel Salvator, Deputy Managing Editor of Le Figaro, spoke about the difficult process of newsroom integration and online culture.

Can journalists be objective on social media?

Recent warnings in Kenya to journalists using social media sites highlight the power of these online forums, and the growing difficulties faced by journalists as the boundaries between personal and professional life are blurred online. As social media sites become increasingly influential and increasingly accessed, issues of objectivity and professional codes of conduct are called into question.

Reuters cancels ‘Next’

The decision of Reuters to cancel its forward-looking direct-to-client news interface, called ‘Next’, has been met with surprise.