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Asma Chaudhary | B.F.A. in AVT + COMM

COMM 361 Online Journalism

Ann Compton

Ann Compton, an ABC White House correspondent, spoke to George Mason University journalism students about the rapid pace of technology and how journalists report today through multimedia tools.

“We used to have clips for 30-40 seconds, [today] I can’t conceive 15-20 seconds for any president,” said Compton.

In discussing the role of the White House Press Secretary, Compton made comments of how the individual must convey the message of the president, both directly and indirectly.

In a previous three-way video feed conference with Hearst Newspapers’ Helen Thomas, students learned about White House Press Secretary Tony Snow’s interesting moniker, “The Artful Dodger,” given by Thomas herself.

Although Compton represented President George W. Bush with integrity, she honed in on the persuasiveness that Snow uses to communicate with the American public.

“The president is not there everyday and it takes a persuasive personality to speak on his behalf. Sometimes his spokesman is more effective than the president is,” said Compton.

The effect of multimedia tools on journalism whether presented online or through live news coverage is substantial to providing accuracy and details.

Compton said, “You want to weigh in on world developments, you don’t want to wait for a press conference.”

With the American public becoming more engaged with reality television series, Compton warns students to watch the evening news for actual news headlines rather than hearing about American Idol or Survivor.

“YouTube and Drudge Report are catalysts, sources of news, breeding grounds for extra information that you may not run into anywhere else. Don’t overlook the power of C-SPAN, I wish I had a nickel for every time people saw me on C-SPAN,” said Compton.

Additionally, Compton discusses the difference between Internet and radio as sources of information. She encouraged students to find truthful, unloaded sources that are not preformed with answers.

Compton said, “You need to get your news from multiple sources. The Internet can reach millions of views, this includes unique users and not the same [visitors] coming back to refresh their page.”

Compton continued the discussion of how journalism varied from years ago. She spoke about the difference between the “old media” and mainstream media today.

“More information is available that is repeated but there is a shallower understanding. Mainstream media, the old media, and the dinosaurs for the business would take time rather than make a mistake. If and when I get it wrong,” said Compton.

Students inside the video studio within Innovation Hall questioned about the role of bloggers and accurate journalism.

Compton said, “Think of those in this briefing room bringing you the raw material. The Internet you know today will be outdated in 15 minutes. I trained for a job I didn’t know existed yet, prepare yourself to fill those jobs.”

Despite the quick boom of technology, Compton said the strength of a story lies within the power of diction and syntax.

“The power of the well-written word, anything with audio/video interaction, it moves so quickly that things can become obsolete,” said Compton.

Links

-Barton
-Thomas
-McLarty
-Compton
-Robertson
-Daschle