The Washington Post is using some of its clout to allow every day people “to speak truth to power,” so says Tom Kennedy, managing editor, Multimedia, for The Washington Post. “We try to pursue a subject driven narrative, of being present when things are happening,” he said. “We try to focus on the top stories of the day and [news] that we think are the most important issues our readers need to know about.”
The Post has structured a news team of six video journalists who are dedicated to short form video journalism. Kennedy and that team work to constantly reevaluate the hottest news of the day. When their direction is determined, they use the multi-media format to let stories unfold before viewers’ eyes via video as well as through photos and narratives in the print edition of the Post.
One such project that has gained massive community attention is the multi-media feature “Being a Black Man.” The award-winning series explores what it means to be a black man in today’s society. Through video, written narrative, and photographs, the series highlights several black men sharing their opinions about issues affecting them, such as parenthood.
In addition, the series includes a narrated gallery about one of the FBI’s highest-ranking African-American Agents, web casts, and a chronology of “Black Man in America.” Readers have participated in the series through a host of interactive polls, Q&As, and a Post-sponsored town meeting.
"A video journalist spent six months on that,” said Kenney of “Being a Black Man,” noting that photo editors, staff photographers, and others also played key roles in its production. “I thought that in particular the video we did about so many black men were in prison – multiplicity of sides was interesting. It was also interesting about the mother and son, how she was raising him in the street environment of D.C. That shaped the reality of that situation in a way that…shows law enforcement as anything but academic.”
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