Here are some apps for journalists to use for quick and instant social reporting when disaster strikes:
What it does: Takes short (3 minutes max) audio recordings and posts them to a Twitter-like feed (you can also hook it up to Twitter seamlessly). You can record via the AudioBoo app from your computer. You can then take the embed code and post it on your site.
Why it’s useful: If you’re in a disaster zone, it may be challenging to write or blog (in the sense that typing on a mobile device isn’t ideal). AudioBoo is a lot faster: just talk and post. It may even be preferable, particularly if you’re a TV or radio journalist who’s used to using his voice to tell a story.
Cost: Free signup/free iPhone or Android app.
What they do: Lightweight blogging — highlight text or embed images and video, and post from your desktop via a bookmarklet. The real power of these two services is their ability to be shared between several people and the ease with which they can be embedded into another site.
Why they’re useful: Imagine having a dozen reporters in the field, all of whom are able to post text, audio, video and still images directly to your website in just a few clicks or swipes. (Granted, some trust and self-editing is required here.)
Cost: Free, apps and all.
What it does: Imagine if Twitter was just photos — that’s Instagram.
Why it’s useful: Instagram really took off during the blizzards that blew through Chicago last winter. People from all overthe city were using the service to chronicle one of the worst storms in years and the opportunity for anyone who bothered to sign up for the service was a treasure trove of curation. Traditional journalists might balk at Instagram because of the fact that it relies heavily (though not necessarily) on image filters to doctor up the pics. But once you’ve accepted that as part of the charm of the service, you’ll find that it’s quite captivating.
Cost: Free (only for iPhone)
Do you have any favorite apps for quick reporting from the field? Let us know in the comments below.