Convergence in the production of news infographics

Abstract

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] Previous researchers developed the Convergence Continuum model to measure the level at which affiliated newspapers, television stations and Websites had converged their newsgathering and production operations. This study applies the Convergence Continuum model to a narrow area within news organizations--print and Web information graphics departments--to yield more specific results. Professionals from five major news organizations completed questionnaires designed to measure activities along a five-stage convergence continuum and engaged in follow-up interviews. Their responses suggest that many major graphics departments are highly converged in terms of coordination and sharing of resources and team members. However, full-convergence, in which the same worker produces graphics simultaneously for the print and Web, is not the norm, and some professionals doubt the efficiency of full convergence. Respondents also said that technology, specifically complex programs and coding languages used to produce interactive Web graphics, is one of the largest barriers to convergence.