Reporters in the Field

Background

Digital Natives The Digital Natives project is collaboration between the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard Law School and the Research Center for Information Law at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland Digital natives, a term made popular by Marc Prensky, are young people whose use of technology is completely ingrained in their lives -they have grown up always-on and constantly-connected. The project’s goal is to better understand young people’s experiences with digital media, including Internet, cell phones and related technologies. By gaining insight into how digital natives make sense of their interactions in this digital landscape, we may address the issues their practices raise, learn how to harness the opportunities their digital fluency presents, and shape our regulatory and educational frameworks in a way that advances the public interest. This project focuses on the key legal, social, educational and political implications of this generational shift and the changing relationships between people and information that comprise it.

Reporters in the Field Digital Natives Reporters in the Field are media makers of various skill levels, reporting and producing audio and video clips for an ongoing media series published on the Digital Natives website. These producers are professionals, graduate students, college students, advanced teens and pre-teens. They often want to produce a piece of media on digital life, but don't necessarily know what to do or even where to start. This raises several issues for the Berkman Center.

Coordinator This position would be responsible for the creation of content, through interns for the Reporters in the Field program. Refer to the Reporters in the Field Coordinator job description for more detail.

Questions

Berkman's Role The Berkman Center must decide if it wants to take on the role of ‘client’ and request that productions are created for specific purposes, such as focusing on chapters of the Born Digital book, or be more involved in the potential learning opportunities that this project might create. Both scenarios are outlined below.

1) As client, the Berkman Center will not be as involved in the production process and communication with the producers would be minimal, limited to reviewing drafts. Additionally, Intern producers will be paid for their efforts. Interns working for less than $600 must complete the “Contractors Submitting Invoices” form and submit an invoice. Interns working for more than $600 need to create a contract with the Berkman Center. The end reseult would be semi-professional audio/video productions with specific content related to an overarching theme developed by the RiF manager.

2) As a production coordinator, the Berkman Center positions itself as being able to create learning opportunities for digital natives and other interns to create content and reflect on the contribution they are making while concurrently becoming familiar with concepts of media education. To do this the manager would be responsible for responding appropriately to various production requests, from both experienced and first-time producers. More advanced producers might be paid a stipend or asked to work for college credit. Young, first time producers would most likely receive some other form of compensation, like a book and recognition.

Media Mentors For younger producers, it is highly recommended that they pursue productions with the support of a teacher, after school program, or some other kind of media mentor to help guide them through the process. The Reporters in the Field Coordinator will most likely not have the ability to provide significant support to these producers.

Topics

Identity As a first project for applicants who don't have significant examples we would ask them to create a segment on Identity. it would sort of act as a testing ground to test their video-production skills, but also to perhaps ultimately make a compilation on what "Digital Identity" means for youths/DNs around the world. Kind of like how "The Ballad of Zac McCune" had 3 parts, only this would be different creators/with different stories. What is Digital Identity? This project can be done as a Digital Story, making it accessible to younger producers with tons of support documentation on the web.

Interviews - Check out the Best Practices for Interview Documentary - For more advanced producers, like graduate students or professionals. These can be related to the topics/chapters in Born Digital. Narrative Abstract

Compensation

Compensation will be based on the experience of the producer and the intended product. For example, a first time producer creating a digital story on digital identity will receive a copy of 'Born Digital' and recognition on the Digital Natives website. College students (undergrad and grad) with media production experience will receive approx $200 per 2-3 minute video in addition to a copy of Born Digital. Professional media makers will be able to make specific arrangements with the Berkman Center. To get paid, a producer needs to submit a Contractor Invoice. For contractors with an ongoing relationship with the Berkman Center and/or one of its projects, or in situations where an individual will be paid more than $600, a contract will need to be signed before work commences or any invoices are processed.

Requirements

Proposal/Application
Skills Access to Content Samples of work License and Permissions

Recruitment

note to amina: please list the places you think we could promote

PERMISSIONS

What every Media Reporter should know:

A. Permission is…

Permission is the process of getting written consent from a copyright holder to use his/her creative work. If you want to broadcast video, media, or images of any type to a commercial audience, obtaining permission to use the copyrighted work is crucial. Even when the work is going to be used noncomercially, seeking permission is generally a good idea.

Though you may only be showcasing your creative work on a small scale, you should ensure that you have all of the necessary permission and release forms straightened out before you proceed. As the author of a creative work, yourself, it is important that you develop and maintain a good reputation for respecting the rights of other creators.

Works protected under certain Creative Commons licenses already give others the ability to make use of the work, subject to limited restrictions. In such cases, asking for permission may not be necessary. However, be sure that your use will conform to the license’s requirements before proceeding.

Find out more about using works licensed under Creative Commons by exploring the Creative Commons website.

B. Permission is not…

If you do not obtain permission for the copyrighted work used, you may be infringing upon (violating) the owner’s rights to control their copyrighted work, and you may be taken to court. In certain situations, Fair Use may provide a defense to allegations of copyright infringement. Keep in mind that while you may believe your use of copyrighted materials qualifies as a fair use, the copyright owner, broadcast service, or judge hearing the infringement case may not. Getting permission to use a copyrighted work before proceeding remains the safest option.

C. Obtaining permission…

Obtaining permission to use a copyrighted work involves three simple steps: 1. Contact the copyright holder 2. Negotiate a price or agreement 3. Get the agreement in writing

Often, it takes a few months to get permission from a copyright holder. For this reason, it makes sense to plan ahead. When looking for footage to legally and professionally use in your work, you should consider using reputable stock photo, video or music houses. At stock houses, you pay a low fee, and the company negotiates the necessary permissions and agreements for you. Many musicians and artists also enjoy collaborating on creative works at low cost. Some people use Craigslist to find musicians and artists for this purpose.

Participants

Reporters in the Field Coordinator note to matt: i'd like this to lay out the different options for grade levels, countries, etc. I'd also like there to be links to our youtube channel.. specifically stuff that has been made by our reporters.. RIAA part II and Digital Dossier and How I learned to type. We might also want to list past interns here. We can let them put bios up if they want. It is here where folks need to think about if they've got the skills and the resources to do this.

DN Reporters in the Field Work from anywhere. Must be proficient in Final Cut and camera/audio equipment. Ideal candidates can set-up interviews, get clearance, record, edit, post and produce. Small stipend available for finished work(s). This internship is great for independent self-starters with stories to tell.

MEDIA CLIPS Digital Dossier - [1] How I learned to Type - [2] The Ballad of Zac McCune (I was sued by the RIAA) -

  Part I - [3]
  Part II - [4]
  Part III - [5]

PAST REPORTERS

Nikki Leon John Randall Cindy Severino Diana Kimball Kanu Tepiwari