How Journalists Use the Internet to Report News

There’s no doubt that the Internet has dramatically impacted the way journalists report and create stories. From the ability to search online for information about subjects to the “tipsheet” aspect of blogs, the process of newsgathering has been permanently altered by the web.

But how are journalists really using the web — and how can PR people adjust their practices to take advantage of this reality? You can find out on Tuesday, February 26, on the free one-hour webinar, “How Journalists Use the Internet to Research the News.” I’ll be moderating it and will be joined by Keith Jenkins, Newsroom Multimedia Director of the Washington Post, and Ibrey Woodall of TEKgroup International. TEKgroup conducted the survey on which this webinar is based, and Ibrey will be presenting an overview of the results, with Keith giving us the real-world perspective straight from the newsroom.

Registration is free, and I urge you to attend. Here are a few of the findings from the survey to whet your interest:

• Nearly half of all journalists report visiting a corporate website or online newsroom at least once a week, and more than 85% report visiting a corporate website or online newsroom at least once a month.


• Ironically, despite this new capability, a majority of journalists complain that when they visit organizations’ websites, it’s often difficult to find the organizations’ media representatives and contact information.


• While more than half (51.5%) of journalists report that they never seek audio or video material from corporate websites, nearly 20% say they seek such material at least once a month.


• Among journalists working in national television, the number seeking audio or video material jumps to 25% (with fully two-thirds seeking such material at least once every three months), and among journalists working in national radio some 30% seek audio or video from corporate websites at least once a month.