In 2005, media magnate and billionaire Rupert Murdoch said at the American Society of Newspaper Editors: “Scarcely a day goes by without some claim that new technologies are fast writing newsprint’s obituary. Yet, as an industry, many of us have been remarkably, unaccountably complacent.

“In the face of this revolution, however, we’ve been slow to react. We’ve sat by and watched while our newspapers have gradually lost circulation. We all know of great and expensive exceptions to this — but the technology in now moving much faster than in the past.”

Innovative disruptions did not only confront business models but also bulldozed themselves into changing journalists’ functions. Historically, journalism has been shaped by purpose and format as well as means of distribution and politics. It is undeniable that politics informed journalism to a greater extent as many nationalists in Zimbabwe and across Africa lead in editing various publications.

Julius Nyerere was editor of Sauti Ya Mtanzania while Jomo Kenyatta edited Mwingithania. The establishment of various media stables across Africa were serving a white monopoly protecting the interests of colonial middle class.

Later, some emerged to give the majority of Africans a nationalist voice. But as the prophetic words of Murdoch remind us, there are changes in media content, business models, and newsroom processes as well as editorial roles and functions.

The rise of mobile journalism (MOJO) and the demand for a multi-media journalist

While many marvel about smartphones and use them for connecting with the outside world and to access news, journalists should know that it is the next big thing. Digital storytelling using smartphones has become the new game in town. Even media giants are utilising the devices for live coverage.

The availability of tools that allow for easy editing of video, text, and audio, and for processing huge amounts of data have made it possible to easily generate content in multiple formats. This is in high demand in today’s newsroom. This simply means it’s now mandatory for every journalist to invest in these skills.

Video journalism, radio journalism, podcasting, and photography have been made possible without the expense of traditional high-cost equipment. Of course, there are instances where cameras are still needed.

Mobile journalism is not replacing cameras and heavy-duty equipment yet, but with the build-up of experiments evidenced by the existence of movies that have been filmed primarily using smartphones, the little devices will soon be of preference due to convenience.

A fully MOJO newsroom breaks down silos between various desks. The emergence of live media has actually made the demand for MOJO rise as audiences demand breaking events in real time.

Globalisation has also made it possible for audiences to anticipate updates on what’s happening outside their immediate surroundings, which offers interconnectivity between countries and regions, and makes it possible for the easy exchange of ideas and cultures.

Due to digital migration, newsrooms are constantly investing in breaking news and updates. Instant gratification necessitates the need for real-time news. Unlike traditional reporting that used to lead with today’s headline tomorrow, mobile journalism has changed that. Cross-platform creativity and digital innovation has become the order of the day.

Amongst its many benefits, MOJO empowers journalists to control the production process, making their voices heard in many aspects. Smartphones can also be used discreetly and in places where media carrying heavy equipment may face challenges. Flexibility and affordability are also important factors.

Technical considerations

Of course, journalists need to familiarise themselves with the technical aspects of mobile phones to produce quality content.

There are various apps that can be used to enhance quality, and many of these are free. These include: Open Camera, Camera FV-5 (which has a lot of manual controls), Camera MX, and ProShot. All of these are compatible with Android.

Those with iPhones can use ProCamera, Lightroom, Camera+, VSCO Cam, and many other apps.

While it irresistible and tempting to post a video after shooting, there are also apps that allow journalists to edit videos on the go. Many of these provide desktop functionality, and some are tailoured to harness the power of shorter and more random clips. Applications like FilmoraGO, Adobe Premiere Rush, VideoShow, PowerDirector, Kinemaster, and Quick let journalists work with cinematic quality in the palm of their hands.

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