Telling stories visually draws larger audience: AFP global editor-in-chief

Images are changing the way journalists are presenting their stories and these visuals bring new audience and transform reporting in a dynamic way, Phil Chetwynn, global editor-in-chief of Agence France-Presse (AFP), said during the 17th Arab Media Forum in Dubai on Tuesday.
Chetwynn said that at AFP, an international news agency headquartered in Paris, France, reports are now revolving around images and more visual-oriented.
"Our writing now is more visual-oriented and written around images," he said. We find new ways to share stories and pictures have the ability to capture a larger audience," he added.
"Around the world, we have around 150 full time photographers and 200 more shooting videos. But everyone is a multi-media journalist. We find ways to tell stories and provide more content," Chetwynn.
Chetwynn said their photographers are not just taking pictures but also serve as eyewitnesses to events. And being right at the event, they can provide context to a story by providing a first-person account.
Chetwynn explained by giving multi-media reports, people will get more context and information to a certain story.
"One of the key areas is to explain everything in so many formats. For example we have a 360 degree illustration of the French palace and we show to our readers the places where decisions are made," he said.
Another innovation in reporting Chetwynn cited is in the Olympics. "Before, we can only show divers and swimmers on a one-dimensional angle but now we have underwater cameras that can provide better engagement with our readers," he added.
Delivery of news is also moving fast. Chetwynn shared that during 100-metre run final, more than 25 cameras were focused to capture the winner.
On another note, Chetwynn also said that there are also challenges with regards to instant sharing of photos especially on social media. He cited for example an alleged beating of an immigrant in France during the elections to create tension in the migrant community when it was revealed, after fact-checking, that the incident happened in a town in Russia involving a patient manhandling a nurse.
Chetwynn also gave his take on citizen journalism. "Not everyone with a smartphone can be a journalist. I don't want to call them as citizen journalists but eyewitnesses who take and share photos or videos."
angel@khaleejtimes.com

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