Multimedia Throughout News Organizations in Missouri

Multimedia is defined as: ‘using more than one medium of expression or communication’ by Webster Dictionary. In today’s world multimedia is a very important aspect of journalism. Keeping up with technology as mediums and platforms change is critical for the existence of news organizations. This week I was challenged to seek out the local new organizations in Columbia, Missouri to see how they are keeping up with the different uses of multimedia.

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear multimedia and news organizations is Twitter. Unlike my parents, being a young adult who is constantly on social media, I usually get my news from sites like Twitter and Facebook. I decided to check out the Twitter accounts of KOMU, KBIA, and the Missourian. I was genuinely impressed with how frequently they update their accounts and decided to follow them. I think it is very important for news organizations to use sites like Twitter and Facebook to reach a broader audience. There is also the benefit of reaching the audience at lightening speed with the instant communication the internet provides.

Another platform of multimedia I browsed through was the websites of KOMU, KBIA, and the Missourian. They all use a variation of photos along with different layouts. KOMU’s site is quite vivid and slightly hectic. They use bright colors and have several tabs allowing you to navigate throughout the site. KBIA is slightly less hectic, has more timid colors and a similar amount of tabs. KBIA also has podcasts built into their site with a description of the story above the podcast. Finally, the Missourian reminds me of a traditional newspaper website. The site has very few colors and is dominated by photos at the top. As one continues to scroll down they see the top stories and a section for the latest news. Overall, I think each website showcases their own style in their own way.

In today’s world social media and technology is shaping the way people get their news. Whether they are checking Twitter and Facebook, watching their local news stations on television, or even reading a newspaper people will always seek out news. A variation of platforms allows the reader to choose the way they get their news. Multimedia will continue to grow and change, this will only further the accessibility of news to all different types of people.