Multimedia Story Evaluation

This week we were asked to read through some of the 2011 Online News Association winners. First of all, I thought the site on its own was a great resource. The site linked to the winning stories, providing excellent examples of multimedia journalism. In addition, it provided information and links to innovative sites to spark new approaches in journalism and the art of storytelling.

The association distributed 27 awards last year. The LosAngeles Times won the innovative investigative journalism for a large publication award for its story that exposed the excessive salaries and financial misdeeds of public officials in the small town of Bell.

Their coverage led to criminal charges against eight current and former city officials, millions of dollars in tax refunds to residents, and sparked legislative reform that would mandate California officials to disclose their compensation online.

While the information was obviously important, so was the way in which the information was presented.

The scandal began as early as 1988. 

With the use of a click through timeline, the Los Angeles Times, successfully organized the information into smaller sections, which made it less intimating and encouraged user interactivity. In addition there was a clear sense of how the story progressed. 

Using graphics they were able to convey concepts clearer, especially when dealing with numbers and figures. The story is ongoing and the publication has continued to follow its progression. 

The way in which the story was told, helped to bring attention to the issue, and was capable of keeping the attention of today's online audience.