Discovering the unexplored

Discovering the chances offered by the tools of digital age was like opening a window on a new world. Well, I should say on this world, but from another point of view: other people's point of view. And while I'm looking into this world, this world can look at me through the same window. I think this is amazing!
The idea that there's always someone out there listening to, reading or replying to what I have to say is stimulating. What scares me in social networks is the fact that while interacting with so many people from all over the world, you are completely isolated and often detached from anything around you.

Let's talk facebook to facebook!
Before attending ICFJ course, I regularly used Facebook mainly as a tool to chat with friends and to get in touch with old friends and people I met in the past.  I used to consider it as a virtual place where I could meet people and chat with them. A place where people change into someone else, sometimes...



Twittering...so challenging!
Six month ago, on a particularly "digital-enthusiastic-day", I also created a profile on Twitter. I've never used it till it was required by one of the assignments. That was a new challenge: expressing my thoughts in 140 characters!
I'm not sure I'll become addicted...I find the idea of having my life governed by social media quite scaring!



But now, after five inspiring weeks, I feel comfortable in using social media and tools such as linking, RSS, blogs and multimedia.
What I missed before was the ability to use them in the proper way. ICFJ course tutors and participants helped me in this sense, by sharing insights, discussing and debating. Sharing experiences and opinion with colleagues from the Arab countries was extremely interesting and useful.

A new approach to journalism
What was just a tool to communicate, now is a valid journalistic tool.
I don't think digital journalism is a substitute of traditional journalism - not yet and not for me, anyway -  but the available tools are great alternatives and they can support traditional news.
Now I see them as a way to reach a wider audience, also using several media to express ideas in different ways and languages; sources of information

The challenge now is keeping on using these tools and improve them, without underestimate how powerful they are and the possible implications, especially in terms of ethics, credibility and accuracy.

My experience so far is very positive and I will surely use the tools of the digital age in my job. But the most important thing is keeping on sharing experiences and updating each other. I think the value added in this course was the presence of journalists working in different countries and different media.