Wikinews:Reporters' Workshop/London August 2012

You'll need a longer lens, mate.

Overview

A Wikinews workshop took place during the weekend of August 25/26 in the lead-up to the 2012 Paralympic Games. Two reporters from Australia have been credentialled by the APC and were attending the games.

Along with Laura Hale, who has quickly grasped how Wikinews operates, become a community-accredited reporter (and project administrator), long-time contributor (and curmudgeonly old git) Brian McNeil delivered a workshop on contributing to Wikinews.

See the bottom of the page for the outline of the outcomes.

Shortcut: Tinyurl=WN-London-Workshop-0812

Date(s)/Location

• Date: Sunday 26th August
• Location: Wikimedia UK Office meeting room on the 4th floor (8 people capacity).

Agenda/Topics

1. Introduction to Wikinews
   1. Using a wiki for news
   2. How Flagged Revisions got us into Google News
   3. Social media integration
2. Article style
   1. The inverse-pyramid and active voice
   2. "Facts don't cease to be facts, ..."
3. Content guide
   1. How fair use/fair dealing differs from Wikipedia
   2. Video and audio
4. Original reporting
   1. The policy in a nutshell
   2. On-the-ground
   3. Interviews

/Presentation notes

Attendees

Please remember to express your preference for 25th or 26th!

1. Either date. --Brian McNeil / ^talk 08:41, 27 July 2012 (UTC)
2. Either date. --LauraHale (talk) 09:13, 27 July 2012 (UTC)
3. Either date is fine for me. I'm looking into somewhere to have it. —Tom Morris (talk) 09:44, 31 July 2012 (UTC)
4. 26th for me,--KTo288 (talk) 11:26, 4 August 2012 (UTC)
5. I am going to try to make it. Philafrenzy (talk) 17:51, 20 August 2012 (UTC)
6. Via Skype --₫ӓ₩₳ _{Talk to Me. Email Me.} 06:44, 21 August 2012 (UTC)
7. I shall try to make it, time permitting :-) -- Marek69 (talk) 15:15, 21 August 2012 (UTC)
8. I would like to attend please. -- BluDog (talk)
9. Sunday is not good for me as I'd have to work around another commitment. If anything is happening on Saturday, you're more likely to see me. I went to a variety of locations for the Olympics and took photos of some of the events, so it might be good to compare notes and plans. And if you want the chance of a story, be at the NT on Friday evening when the Critical Mass cyclists assemble. Last month, the police tried to clamp down on them to protect the Olympic lanes and there were 182 arrests. There might be a repeat this month. Or perhaps the cyclists will head for the Ecuador embassy to show solidarity with Wikileaks ... you never can tell. And, if following that crowd is too exciting or strenuous, there's usually a good free show outside the NT as part of their Inside Out programme. Andrew Davidson (talk) 08:26, 22 August 2012 (UTC)
10. I would like to attend Via Skype please.-- sunnyclide (talk)_{Email Me.}

Anything else?

If we've missed something, add it below:

• Will any of the attendees have access to a video camera? Even a camera phone or two, which manage video, would be most-useful.

Having recordings of the presentation segments, and the ability to turn that into an online presentation, would be most-worthwhile.

I have a camera that can be used to record if necessary. Not bring my tripod from Australia though. --LauraHale (talk) 12:55, 31 July 2012 (UTC)

• Wikimedia UK have offered use of a camcorder, with tripod, and digital audio recorder for the workshop.
• Daria has 'reserved' space in the office for the Saturday and Sunday.

• Date has been set for August 26th.
• I am new to WikiNnews. Is there anything I have to do before attending? Philafrenzy (talk) 17:53, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

• A look at a few random articles? Get a feel for what a news story here looks like? I'd suggest sticking to stuff in the last 2 yrs-18 months as we've really firmed-up the independent peer-review. --Brian McNeil / ^talk 20:45, 20 August 2012 (UTC)

• If I've missed this bit, please advise: have the Skype details been worked out yet? Any plans to have some video bits thrown up later so us Yanks can at least have a look see at what we missed?! --Bddpaux (talk)

Outcome

• As-expected, a small number of attendees were in the Wikimedia UK London office for the workshop. The discussion covered how writing for Wikinews differs from Wikipedia, the format/construction of articles, sourcing (at least two independent sources, but don't overload), some editing of the article on Turkey as the font of Indo-European languages, and a 'group review' thereof prior to it's publication.

Technical problems with a telus router somewhere in London rendered prezi.com inaccessible for myself, and those in the WMUK office. A 'grand overview' presentation was prepared, although incomplete due to the access problem blocking "finishing touches" being added. Those interest in the presentation may view it here:

http://prezi.com/lvarzngx9vrd/wikinews-london-workshop/

This will be further fine-tuned for future use, please give your feedback on it's inclusion and format. --Brian McNeil / ^talk 16:21, 26 August 2012 (UTC)