Keeping up in the technological age

Kate Chizek

While I understand Martha Stone's point that "backpacking journalism" cuts jobs and lowers journalistic specialization, I think in today's "faster is better" world, backpacking journalism is necessary. Technology is catching up to society's need for news -- i.e. with the Flip Video, reporters can cover stories and back them up to email within minutes. News coverage changes from minute to minute and backpacking journalist can cover all the elements of a story. As journalists, it is our responsibility to become up to date with our skills, and diversity is vital. The job of a journalists is more advanced than it used to be, and the fact of the matter is, jobs are being cut. We have to accept that this is what corporate America is doing to journalism and if we want to keep up, we have to be more aware and hone our skills. Preston Mendenhall had to go into Afghanistan alone, but he could cover the story effectively at a lower price. We must "grow into our culture," and realize the cheaper and up to date solution is backpacking journalism (Stevens).