“Capital J” Journalism Versus “Editorial Analytics”

This thought-provoking article from Nieman Journalism Lab discusses the use of higher-order analytics in driving newsroom editorial strategy. In this new age of multi-platform journalism, many masters must be served: the station’s website, the station’s and your personal social media platforms; and, last but not least, your viewing or listening audience.

Back in the day, your on-air performance was the only way your product was judged: what came out of the radio speaker or what was shown on the TV screen. Those were the days when what some call “Capital J Journalism” ruled: it was all about getting the news, getting it right, and getting it on the air. There were no social media gods to be appeased; your station’s news ratings depended on the stories you covered and how they were presented on-mike or on-camera.

If nothing else, this article from Nieman Lab highlights the changes that have come to broadcast newsrooms in just the last decade or so.

Posted by Tim Morrissey