Over the last few years social media has become one of the most prominent ways to communicate information. Some people no longer get the morning newspaper or turn on the television: they rely solely on the internet as the source of their news.
Through the internet, Facebook and Twitter, major organizations such as Fox and CNN have been able to deliver breaking news in a matter of seconds.
The Talon is making this necessary transition into the new age and they are launching their website: thetalonohs.com today.
The website has multiple forms of media including video stories and pictures.
“We have many new members interested in photography and some have even made videos,” said Anya Rogers, Editor-in-Chief. “It’s great being able to post color photos and videos about the school.”
Instead of producing a newspaper every month, The Talon will be posting all of their stories online, according to the staff. They will still print issues twice a semester, but the newspaper will not include all of the stories written. Students must go on to the website to see fresh and daily news.
The Talon staff has been working hard on the website since day one as they want it to meet the needs of the student body and surrounding community, editors said.
With eight new motivated staff members, The Talon is excited and ready for this big change.
“Online is a better option right now, because we think more students will be involved if it is easily accessible, and it goes to a wider audience versus the paper version that only goes to the students who take it home,” Rogers said.
The Talon staff wants to use the website as a way to give students a voice on campus, according to Rogers.
Amanda Ekdahl, Copy Chief, said that the website meets the needs of the technology age, while also serving as a way for students to give direct feedback to The Talon.
“I like the idea that it is interactive. Online, students can read [the stories] and respond right there,” said Dr. Dean Kirkpatrick, vice principal.
Students and community members alike are encouraged to leave comments after reading a story. The Talon’s hope is that the stories on the website will spark discussion, staff members said.
Besides the stories, the website is going to have alternate forms of media that students will not be able to see in the newspaper.
It is now possible for The Talon to explore video journalism and to present events through pictures and slideshows.
One of The Talon’s main focuses this year is to improve their photos and new staff members Bryce Patterson and Jasmine Elmi are a big part of that.
Patterson is the videographer. He specializes in creating video stories and taking pictures.
“I hope that the video stories become a big hit with the website,” said Patterson.
Patterson also said that people want to see more than just words when they look at a story. They want to see pictures and video to go with it.
Elmi is the photography chief. She said pictures give people another way to look at news stories.
“My goal is to get very memorable pictures,” said Elmi. “I want people to look at my pictures and to say ‘Jasmine took that’.”
The website enables The Talon to showcase the talents of the students on staff, according to Rogers.
Besides news stories about OHS, the website will also have movie reviews, sports statistics, and features about people and or events going on in the community. There are even comics and polls on the website.
There is so much more for students to see on the website than in the paper edition of The Talon, editors said.
Ekdahl hopes that students will make an effort to look at everything on the website and not just what they are interested in.
The Talon hopes to create Facebook and Twitter pages in addition to the website. They plan on using Twitter to live-tweet games and events and Facebook will be good way for students to stay connected to things going on at school.
These are coming later in the year, but the goal is for students to be able to get news on-the-go via the social networks.
The website and social media will be major changes from the standard newspapers that students and the community have gotten used to seeing The Talon produce.
Even though it may be a big leap, The Talon is prepared. It is time for a change.
In a way, the administration is giving The Talon a bit more leeway and freedom by allowing them to create the website, but they have a few expectations.
“I want The Talon to try something that has been given thought, while trying to meet the needs of the students,” Dr. Kirkpatrick said. “I want The Talon to have the ability to reach out and find what the student body needs.”
Dr. Kirkpatrick said he understands the reasons behind The Talon’s transition to online journalism. He said that the news is immediate, and thinks that the new media will interest the people who are viewing the stories.
Kirkpatrick also realizes that the print edition of a newspaper might not always be around, because of the internet.
Many other news organizations are making or have already made the same transition that The Talon is making now.
Although The Talon may be going through a sort of metamorphosis, it does not change the way the members on staff report news. The goal that was set by its original staff members 10 years ago still stands. The Talon will always strive to inform and entertain the students and community surrounding OHS, and they will continue to hold honest reporting at the highest standard.
“The website is The Talon revamped, and presented in a fresher, newer way. It’s us but presented differently. Keep your eyes peeled.” Ekdahl said.