The anonymous world of convergence?

If Jane Stevens’ “Backpack journalism is here to stay” were a sky that radiates optimism, I would say I spotted a few clouds.

One, I am perplexed about the role of teamwork in converged media. Although Stevens explicitly suggests that multimedia storytelling requires more teamwork, the examples she provides do not always support her point. Looking, for instance, at Preston Mendenhall’s experience, I arrived at a conclusion that a multimedia journalist is someone who doesn’t need to rely on a photographer, or cameraman and sound recordist: A multimedia journalist is someone who is able to do this work on his/her own. This may mean that with time, as convergence reporters get better training and become more proficient, one will be able to produce stories without even having to engage in teamwork as we know it.

Second, a journalist’s work in a multimedia organization may largely go anonymous. This is especially the case with producer-driven stories. (As Stevens puts it in one of her examples, “The reporters file what’s in front of them, and don’t know how much of their contribution will end up being published, or in what form.”)

But this may also be the case with reporter-driven stories. If a reporter, in addition to gathering information, needs to shoot video, record sound or take photos, she/he may become too overwhelmed with these tasks to develop a personal style in her/his reporting/writing or visual coverage.

Does this mean that in converged media the “human” aspect – real-life communication (as between crew members) and one’s personality (that is more likely to emanate from one’s work if the reporter concentrates on one specific area of journalism) – may gradually fade away, and all we will be left with is the number of megabytes submitted by the deadline?