Reportr.net

The idea of a video journalist working for a newspaper may sound like a contradiction in terms. But as newspapers offer increasing amount of video on their websites, there is a growing need for journalists with broadcast skills.

The Online Journalism Review has an illuminating interview with Travis Fox, one of the seven video journalists employed by the Washington Post.

When Fox started producing video for the Post’s website in 1999, few were watching, not even his editors on the website. But as he says in the interview, this allowed him to experiment and find out by trial and error what worked and didn’t work online.

“It was a great place to learn and to let my own style come to forefront. I didn’t have deadline pressure, I didn’t have editorial pressure, I didn’t have many viewers.”

Fast-forward to 2006, and two of Fox’s report, “Fueling Azerbaijan’s Future” and “Hurricane Katrina Coverage in New Orleans” are nominated for Emmy awards. His work can be seen here.

For more on his experience of working as a video journalist, check out this Washington Post article from last year.