Why journalists should learn to code (and why some shouldn't bother)
Monday, April 20, 2009
In this era of new media and technology, journalists are being asked to acquire skills beyond reporting and writing, probably the most daunting of which is learning basic computer programming. Some argue that coding skills are an essential part of working in a new media environment, while many traditional journalists balk at the idea, saying computer programming is not why they signed up for the profession.
Both sides have valid arguments: learning basic HTML, CSS or other programming languages helps journalists create their own online content and understand the parameters of technical journalism. On the other hand, refusing to learn coding may be more than just stubbornness or old media thinking.
Being both a journalist and a programmer/coder requires use of both sides of the brain. The left brain, which relies on logic and analysis, is more apt for synthesizing computer processes; the right brain relies more on intuition and creative thought, essential skills for a successful journalist. Because journalists are more likely to be right-brain thinkers, asking a writer to code is basically asking someone to rethink the way they think (To find out what kind of thinker you are, take this short quiz).
This is why such skills are at odds with each other and learning coding is not as easy as just picking up a book. One must tap into both hemispheres of the brain and think both analytically and intuitively to thrive in the new era of journalism.
So why should journalists bother to learn coding? If anything, learning how to build online and interactive stories gives journos a greater understanding of how web-based journalism is created and how they can enhance traditional print or broadcast stories. As with all multimedia skills, journos are more likely to be invested in the technical process if they have an idea of what's possible.
Also, learning computer skills makes journalists less dispensable and, for the unemployed, more marketable for future employment, which — let's be honest — can't hurt in the industry's current tumultuous state. Many journalism jobs now require someone who has both coding skills and writing experience, the latter of which many traditional computer programmers lack. Because many coders and developers aren't exactly rushing out to learn about inverted pyramids and cutlines, this gives the coding journalist an advantage.
There are many working journalists/programmers, some of whom are more fluent in one side or the other, and with computer programming being taught in J-Schools, even more should emerge in the coming years.
Learning HTML/CSS is useful for building web-based projects and knowledge of ActionScript is necessary for working in Flash environments. But unless you're planning a career as a developer, a deep understanding of Django, PHP or Ruby on Rails is not required.
It's encouraging to see participants at the Knight Digital Media Center training workshops and other similar efforts take the basic web design skills they pick up and go on to create their own online stories or web-based projects.
For those interested in learning basic computer programming, start with the online tutorials at W3Schools or any of the books in the For Dummies series. Additional online tutorials can be found at lynda.com, News University or any of the sites listed in this previous post.
There are journalists whose prowess remains in the written word and they shouldn't be admonished for sticking to what they know. Those who choose to adhere to long-standing forms of print or broadcast journalism shouldn't fret, but know that there will come a time when basic coding will become an integral part of a journalist's duties. It's better to jump on the bandwagon now than to be left in the dust later on.
Also on 10,000 Words:
• Essential multimedia tutorials and resources for do-it-yourself training
• What is...? A handy guide for the new media novice
• Journalists: Change starts with you
• Multimedia Picker: Choose the right medium for your message
• Why J-Schools matter
Both sides have valid arguments: learning basic HTML, CSS or other programming languages helps journalists create their own online content and understand the parameters of technical journalism. On the other hand, refusing to learn coding may be more than just stubbornness or old media thinking.
Being both a journalist and a programmer/coder requires use of both sides of the brain. The left brain, which relies on logic and analysis, is more apt for synthesizing computer processes; the right brain relies more on intuition and creative thought, essential skills for a successful journalist. Because journalists are more likely to be right-brain thinkers, asking a writer to code is basically asking someone to rethink the way they think (To find out what kind of thinker you are, take this short quiz).
This is why such skills are at odds with each other and learning coding is not as easy as just picking up a book. One must tap into both hemispheres of the brain and think both analytically and intuitively to thrive in the new era of journalism.
So why should journalists bother to learn coding? If anything, learning how to build online and interactive stories gives journos a greater understanding of how web-based journalism is created and how they can enhance traditional print or broadcast stories. As with all multimedia skills, journos are more likely to be invested in the technical process if they have an idea of what's possible.
Also, learning computer skills makes journalists less dispensable and, for the unemployed, more marketable for future employment, which — let's be honest — can't hurt in the industry's current tumultuous state. Many journalism jobs now require someone who has both coding skills and writing experience, the latter of which many traditional computer programmers lack. Because many coders and developers aren't exactly rushing out to learn about inverted pyramids and cutlines, this gives the coding journalist an advantage.
There are many working journalists/programmers, some of whom are more fluent in one side or the other, and with computer programming being taught in J-Schools, even more should emerge in the coming years.
Learning HTML/CSS is useful for building web-based projects and knowledge of ActionScript is necessary for working in Flash environments. But unless you're planning a career as a developer, a deep understanding of Django, PHP or Ruby on Rails is not required.
It's encouraging to see participants at the Knight Digital Media Center training workshops and other similar efforts take the basic web design skills they pick up and go on to create their own online stories or web-based projects.
For those interested in learning basic computer programming, start with the online tutorials at W3Schools or any of the books in the For Dummies series. Additional online tutorials can be found at lynda.com, News University or any of the sites listed in this previous post.
There are journalists whose prowess remains in the written word and they shouldn't be admonished for sticking to what they know. Those who choose to adhere to long-standing forms of print or broadcast journalism shouldn't fret, but know that there will come a time when basic coding will become an integral part of a journalist's duties. It's better to jump on the bandwagon now than to be left in the dust later on.
Also on 10,000 Words:
• Essential multimedia tutorials and resources for do-it-yourself training
• What is...? A handy guide for the new media novice
• Journalists: Change starts with you
• Multimedia Picker: Choose the right medium for your message
• Why J-Schools matter
Labels: news on the news
6 Comments
NorCal Cazadora Says:
I see the coding issue much like I see the notion of all writers being required to take photographs. While both writing and photography are right-brain, not everyone can think in both words and images. Some can; for others, it's a dismal wreck.
Code's the same way. I recently added some javascript to my blog that forces me to write in html, because Blogger's "compose" mode will now insert random script throughout a post. Some people look horrified when I tell them I have to write in code; for other's it's no biggie.
All that said, I push my students to push themselves and try things they don't think they can do, for the very reason you've outlined here - marketability.
-Holly Heyser
CSU Sacramento
Code's the same way. I recently added some javascript to my blog that forces me to write in html, because Blogger's "compose" mode will now insert random script throughout a post. Some people look horrified when I tell them I have to write in code; for other's it's no biggie.
All that said, I push my students to push themselves and try things they don't think they can do, for the very reason you've outlined here - marketability.
-Holly Heyser
CSU Sacramento
Says:
Knowing some HTML and CSS should be a basic requirement -- it's not hard to acquire a basic understanding. Learning ActionScript, I think, is overrated. You can do a lot with Flash with various out-of-box solutions that are available. Many standalone Flash pieces, to me, seem a bit dated to be honest.
However, I think it is extremely important for journalists to learn some things about Ruby on Rails, Django, etc. I've been learning Rails myself and I was surprised at how quickly I took to it. Learning some programming vastly expands your artist's palette -- what you can do with a story, how you can present it, how you can re-conceptualize how journalism is done in a new era. The trick is to not be intimidated. Learning some basic programming doesn't stop you from being a great journalist; it can only enhance your work.
However, I think it is extremely important for journalists to learn some things about Ruby on Rails, Django, etc. I've been learning Rails myself and I was surprised at how quickly I took to it. Learning some programming vastly expands your artist's palette -- what you can do with a story, how you can present it, how you can re-conceptualize how journalism is done in a new era. The trick is to not be intimidated. Learning some basic programming doesn't stop you from being a great journalist; it can only enhance your work.
Says:
Totally agree with you but unfortunately most journalists in newsrooms I've worked with (and I've worked in most regional newsrooms in the UK) have trouble opening folders and using MS Word. God help anyone asking them to work with XML, atom feeds and taxonomies.
This is the real reason regional press / newspapers are dying. Not because the medium is dead but the staff working for them are set in their ways and refuse to move with the times.
Just look at the geek bloggers; good blogs (with no history or brand behind them) can make tens of thousands a month because they know how to use technology to deliver news in the formats their readers want and aren't obsessed with one particular media (paper).
I know of at least one team that are embracing technology to deliver local news and surprise surprise their site is growing and making a very comfortable profit.
If media owners want to survive they need to fire their old guard journalists who won't or can't get the technology and replace them with "nerdalists" - guys and girls that can write but also programme, get twitter and seo etc.
This is the real reason regional press / newspapers are dying. Not because the medium is dead but the staff working for them are set in their ways and refuse to move with the times.
Just look at the geek bloggers; good blogs (with no history or brand behind them) can make tens of thousands a month because they know how to use technology to deliver news in the formats their readers want and aren't obsessed with one particular media (paper).
I know of at least one team that are embracing technology to deliver local news and surprise surprise their site is growing and making a very comfortable profit.
If media owners want to survive they need to fire their old guard journalists who won't or can't get the technology and replace them with "nerdalists" - guys and girls that can write but also programme, get twitter and seo etc.
William Knight Says:
I believe this will be seen as an idea that seemed right but was consigned to the recycle bin of history.
At present computers are clumsy, difficult to use and difficult to program, and it makes sense for a journalist to understand a bit of code.
In the future, not that far off, I think, the computer will handle all that coding stuff for you and journalists will be able to return to the words. It wasn't so long ago that writing anything on a computer required an understanding of escape codes and printer markup.
Thinking that journalists should be closet coders is probably a vanity of those that understand CSS and HTML but write a bit too.
At present computers are clumsy, difficult to use and difficult to program, and it makes sense for a journalist to understand a bit of code.
In the future, not that far off, I think, the computer will handle all that coding stuff for you and journalists will be able to return to the words. It wasn't so long ago that writing anything on a computer required an understanding of escape codes and printer markup.
Thinking that journalists should be closet coders is probably a vanity of those that understand CSS and HTML but write a bit too.
April 21, 2009 12:33 PM