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The times they are changing

Working in the media field mean keeping up to pace with an ever changing landscape.

One of the most interesting parts of being in the media industry is the constant change of what you are involved with on a day to day basis.

Most weeks this is limited to the stories we cover and the places we get to go to take photos. I have heard the tales of the past from people who I worked with in Invermere when reporters and staff had to do everything by hand to set up a page.

Technology has given people in the industry the ability to get information out to the public not only quicker but also in many different ways.

The reason for writing about this today is to update our readers about some of the ways The Golden Star is working to give as many people as possible, as many different ways as we can to read the stories and see the photos we take in  and around the local area.

Recently we set up a Facebook site for the paper and the response we have seen so far has been extremely positive. Over 100 people have added the site to their likes.

The site has given those of us who take photos and videos for the paper another place to show more of the pictures we take at events. It is an easy way for people in the community to see more photos from  the events we cover in a timely fashion.

People will be able to make their comments about stories on the Facebook site however it should be stated that if you are going to comment you must do it from your personal Facebook site.

I believe people should have the right to have their voices heard about whatever topic they feel strongly about or even if it is just to  comment on a photo.

It has been brought to our attention that the comments are welcomed and encouraged but being anonymous  as could in the past will not be acceptable.

We are also using the site to link back to stories we have on our website as well.

Speaking of the website we are currently working on ideas to help get more information online during the week with the ultimate goal of having fresh information online more often.

It is our goal to get as much information out to our readers in the best way possible.

Then there is the use of Twitter. The Golden Star itself does not have an account as of yet but I do use my personal account to post links to our website so that people on the go have another way to keep up to date on what is happening locally.

Just search my name and for those of you who enjoy tweets the links will come.

These are just some of the changes happening currently and it does add an interesting new part to the work journalists do.

Times and technology have brought us to a point where we have to try our best to keep up to date on what people both locally and farther away want to see us doing to help keep them informed.

The aim and goal is to not only produce information quickly but also to maintain the standards expected of bringing factual, correct information into the public forum.

This is the challenge ahead and one faced by many media groups over the years. I encourage people to check out the new sites and as always feel free to let me know how to improve their overall experience when dealing with Facebook, a newspaper in their hands or our website. As for now I hope your enjoy the chance to see more of the photos, videos and stories we are writing and taking.