Wikis in Newsrooms

Wikis in Newsrooms

Cassandra Shieh cshieh@catholicnews.com

The Catholic University of America

June 27, 2007

Catholic News Service News wire service for the Catholic press Since 1920 Staffed by trained professional journalists Washington DC & Rome bureaus Serves news clients in over 60 countries Provides over a dozen different

products/services

News wire service

Other CNS Products

Staffed by 2 librarians Provides research for CNS staff Maintains library collection Archives intellectual property Handles information requests from the public Filters and disseminates incoming e-mail press

releases to editorial staff Handles copyright reprint permissions Maintains CNSLIS Resource guides WIKI

CNS INTRANET before July 2006

Static page on network hard drive Maintained by 1 person in IT department Contained outdated information Little or no editorial control over content Never changed as user’s needs evolved Out-of-pace with latest intranet technologies Provided space for CNSLIS to maintain list of

online resources

Think Outside the Box

CNS Wiki: Staff Profiles

Collaborate on Projects

Encourage Staff to Create Own Content

METRICS are important, but don’t fret over what they may portray

It may take time for users to get acquainted with the new technology.

Lead by example Show senior management you have the

expertise Start with small successes Target collaborators among staff Market your wiki in every conversation

Lessons Learned

Change agents Bring staff/people together Build bridges to help solve

information problems Good Listeners Expert information architects Authorities in information

technology

KEEP MOVING FORWARD

QUESTIONS?

E-mail me: cassandrashieh@gmail.com