Multimedia advice

Raleigh N&O’s probation series a missed opportunity

Raleigh News & Observer is rolling out a three-part series this week on the crippled probation system in North Carolina that garnered intense scrutiny after the devastating murder of UNC’s student body president Eve Carson. They have the content, the interest, and the long shelf life. So why didn’t they invest in multimedia?

I normally don’t negatively critique other work, but I think N&O needs some tough love this time around. I know they have talent from seeing past inspirational packages, such as “Promise of Protection” and “Dail: Life Unbarred.” So, what happened with this series?

Part one featured a great investigative article titled “Probationers kill, state dawdles.” Within the article, they quote:

“Since the start of 2000, 580 people have killed in North Carolina while under the watch of state probation officers — 17 percent of all convictions for intentional killings.”

Wow. That is powerful. Now where is the interactive map to show this visually? As a resident, I want to know where these killings occurred and see a timeline of events.

They also have a “By the numbers” side bar within the story:

“BY THE NUMBERS:
$763 – Annual cost for low-level or intermediate probation supervision
$26,904 – Average annual cost of prison incarceration
$6,033 – Annual cost for intensive probation supervision”

Where are the interactive charts and graphs comparing this to other government costs in the state and across the country? Are these numbers a lot or a little compared to other states? There is so much data corresponding to this topic that it’s a shame it wasn’t put to good use.

They produced one video that leaves a lot to be desired. The first 45 seconds is the reporter’s talking head inside the press room, while the camera slowly zooms out. Several problems here. Why do I care what the press room looks like? Why isn’t this reporter out in the neighborhood where these murders took place? (To his credit, he is later on in the video, but I bet the majority of the viewers didn’t even make it that far). Most importantly, why is this shot the opening scene? Where is the hook; the attention-grabber?

As a recent report indicated, the majority of our viewers watch less than 60 seconds of a video. Sadly, this video is a prime example why people click away.

I wanted to see a behind-the-scenes video where they shadowed probation officers. I wanted to hear interviews with these punks in jail. I wanted to cry with the families who have lost a loved one to these juveniles. All of this would have kept my attention …

The web layout consists of multiple print stories, three print graphics (posted online exactly as they were in the paper) and one video. The skimpy photo galleries were buried inside the stories, and there were no links back to Eve Carson’s case … the main reason why their readers are interested in this series. Forget reverse publishing … it looks like they forgot about online entirely!

Come on N&O – realize the importance of the Web, play up those photos and data, and invest in multimedia!

Other posts that might interest you:

• News&Observer: Ian’s Peace
• Washington Post launches Fatal Flights series
• Multimedia coverage of sporting events

© 10 December 2008 Innovative Interactivity (II).