Armed with $15,000 in satellite phones and computers, Preston Mendenhall calls himself a "one-man band" who writes stories, snaps photographs, and shoots video in combat zones. The international editor for MSNBC.com spent most of February traveling alone in Syria, then joined other reporters in northern Iraq to record Kurdish reactions to the American-led bombing. His latest multimedia report -- video, still images, and words -- described the collapse of the U.N.-backed oil-for-food program, which blocked fresh food supplies to 60% of Iraq's 25 million people. "You get a connection, set up the camera, point it at yourself, and just do it -- you're live," Mendenhall said from a satellite phone.
Mendenhall, who sends pixelated video through a pair of special satellite telephones, is one of a growing number of journalists relying on lightweight laptops, satellite phones, inexpensive editing software, and digital cameras. The technology has resulted in streaming video from the most remote places on earth. It has also enabled a new breed of reporter, known as a "backpack journalist," who often has greater mobility and flexibility than a camera crew. They file real-time reports with equipment that is a fraction of the cost and size of conventional, shoulder-mounted cameras and other gear.
Today's lean, low-cost journalist is being hailed as the future of journalism- not just in foreign lands, but on Mainstreet, USA. Journalists almost unilaterally hate the idea. They signed on to be writers, gatherers of information- not photographers, editors and AV engineers. What does this mean for attorneys and law firms? A great opportunity. Journalists are already overworked- underpaid and under appreciated. Enterprising stories is daily lament when its all they can do to turn the stories they already have each day. This means attorneys who can deliver a victim, an interesting angle and a great "expert" soundbite will be sought-after by the beleaguered "one man banders" more than ever before. So put your reporter hat on and start building stories!
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