Balancing Long-Form and Short-Form Journalism in the Digital Age
How do you get the old school quality of long-form journalism into today's more popular short form?
One major shift in modern journalism is the move towards shorter, more concise content. The advent of social media, shorter attention spans, and the increasing importance of mobile consumption have led to a preference for bite-sized pieces. But what about the depth, nuance, and detailed reporting that long-form journalism provides?
Extricating Unnecessary Information
One technique for modernizing long-form journalism is to remove anything that does not directly impact the core of the story. Shorten quotes to their essence, eliminate unnecessary adjectives, and write in succinct sentences. This ensures that the key points shine through, capturing and maintaining the reader's interest.
Cite Sources!
Works Cited must be prominently displayed. For every video, include a link to the long-form version of the story below. This highlights the depth and detail of the longer piece, while also providing readers with a more comprehensive view of the topic.
“GOD! IT'S SO EASY!!!”
Waiting for Market Shifts and Government Regulations
Let the commercial news market settle naturally, or advocate for logical government regulations that do not conflict with the First Amendment. With the current state of affairs, it's important to embrace the changes while still striving for high-quality journalism.
People don't have as much time to read as they used to. Some of the best long-form journalism has been produced during the current pandemic. Take, for example, Lester Holt's special on the virus, which was a powerful, detailed documentary. Such pieces are often deep dives on a specific topic, providing important context and exposure to details that might be overlooked in shorter forms.
Long-form journalism isn't fading away; rather, it's evolving. In the current landscape, shorter, more focused pieces are more common. However, when these pieces are done well, they can still be incredibly powerful. A brief speech, such as Lincoln's Gettysburg Address or Bernie Sanders' recent withdrawal speech, can be incredibly impactful when it is carefully crafted to convey the core message effectively.
The Challenges of Digital Reading
Reading on a screen is different from reading a printed page. In print, readers can physically interact with the content, drilling down into details or skimming over sections as needed. Digital reading, on the other hand, presents challenges. People often abandon long articles if they don't grasp the main points quickly. The distractions of ads, notifications, and other interruptions can make it difficult to maintain a reader's interest.
To address this, consider using a teaser paragraph or two at the beginning of your digital content. These should hint at the key points without giving away everything. Then, guide readers to a more distraction-free environment, such as a Kindle-style app, where they can continue reading the full article without interruptions.
In conclusion, while the journalism industry continues to evolve, the principles of quality writing and thorough reporting remain. It's not about choosing one form over the other but rather finding the best way to convey the story in the context of today's readers.