Photo caption: NZ's first-of-its-kind Media Innovation Lab launches at UC
The Media Innovation Lab, hosted by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC), will initially offer two 12-week journalist residencies each year, funded through a $50,000 contribution from the Acland Foundation.
Media and Communication Professor Donald Matheson, one of the lab's founders, says the media and society are changing rapidly, and news professionals often lack the time and resources needed for in-depth, experimental journalism. The lab is already attracting interest from some of New Zealand's leading journalists.
"We started this lab to support journalists to bring their creative thinking and ideas for new projects to fruition," he says.
"The lab helps to share innovative ideas and technology with industry, while practically supporting industry and giving individual journalists a chance to do some creative blue skies work."
Professor Matheson says unlike many media labs focused on developing technology or commercial products, UC's lab will work alongside newsrooms to support experimental storytelling, use technology for social good and strengthen connections with communities.
In September, UC will welcome The Press senior journalist Charlie Mitchell as its first journalist in residence. Mitchell will develop a digital publication exploring the interconnected cultural, environmental and social story of Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere, one of Aotearoa New Zealand's most culturally and ecologically significant lakes.
Mitchell says newsroom reporting in general has been very conflict based, which can be useful but can also obscure some of the bigger issues at play.
He says the idea of reporting on Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere grew from thinking about, "What are the stories that I've wanted to tell but haven't really been able to within the format of traditional newsroom journalism?"
Mitchell wants to create a digital publication that will bring together diverse perspectives to examine the lake's decline, restoration and cultural significance without reducing the issues to a simple conflict narrative.
"I want to create generally useful storytelling that that doesn't really cast heroes and villains but tries to get into some of the complexity of the issues."
This includes exploring the many relationships people and organisations have with Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere, weaving together perspectives from mana whenua, farmers, councils and others connected to the lake.
"The aim of this project will be to address waning engagement with longform journalism by experimenting with digital storytelling techniques that allow readers to explore complex issues through shorter, layered narrative pieces, alongside interactive visual elements," Mitchell says.
Professor Matheson says one of the big challenges for the media has been a technological challenge, with audiences moving into other media such as AI and social media. "Technological innovation will be part of the solution, and it's a big part of the lab."
UC Executive Dean Arts Professor Kevin Watson says the need for trusted, compelling stories that help us understand the world has never been greater. "UC's Media Innovation Lab creates a place where leading practitioners, researchers and students can develop new approaches to public storytelling.
"We are excited to share UC's advanced technology facilities and offer journalists access to technical support. As the Media Innovation Lab develops it will give our students opportunities to build stronger connections with leading professionals, helping them prepare for a future in the changing media sector."
