Covering Newtown with Convergence & "Click-ability"

My favorite aspect of online journalism is what I like to call "click-ability." I can't even begin to count the amount of times I started reading one article, and ended up with 5-10 other tabs and windows open with related links and information. The power to just click and find out more information is not only convenient, but also has become an essential aspect of being informed citizens.

Whenever media is dominated by an extremely controversial news story, consumers and citizens spend several hours scouring the web for as much information as possible. News outlets that compile the information and update the most frequently with "breaking" details have the most clout when it comes to reporting these types of events. On Friday, December 14, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at an elementary school located in Newtown, Connecticut. This tragedy, which involved the loss of several innocent children and their lives, is unprecedented in the United States and has sparked endless controversy regarding gun control, parenting and mental illness.

Despite where you personally land on the spectrum of the debate, I believe that the LA Times does a great and effective job in covering the events. They update their page consistently with either hard news information or relevant feature stories with a softer angle. They also take an inside glimpse into the shooter's life, his mind and what type of person would commit such an atrocity.

One of their most recent articles is "Upset by divorce? Outsider? Seeking clues in school shooter's past." This online content is a prime example of media convergence. At the very top, the author includes a video report that discusses the suspect and the relationship with his mother.



Then, a little farther down the article, the author links to a slideshow of photos from the event. In a side column, the article links to several other stories such as a piece on who the victims were, a transcript and video of Obama's speech and an interactive timeline of the deadliest massacres in the U.S. There's also a link to a "Full Coverage" page that compiles all of LA Times articles relevant to the shooting in one place. Their amount of coverage is quite extensive and provides a wide breadth of information for any reader interested in finding out more information about the tragedy.

Shocking events such as the Connecticut shooting have national impact and immense news value. The LA Times has definitely followed through on its responsibility to inform the public while successfully employing various multimedia techniques.

In the light of the recent tragedy, I'd like to take a moment of silence for the victims, their families and the entire Newtown community. Words cannot express my feelings as I hear more and more about what has happened. I hope and pray for a better tomorrow.