NSPA debuts Multimedia Guidebook, Website Critiques

To meet the increasing needs of student media staffs and advisers, NSPA invested in the development of a set of standards for multimedia.

Similar to Guidebooks for print publications, the new Guidebook follows the same basic format but provides this new tool in a format that is both useful for students and teachers but also “walks the talk” of multimedia. It’s an interactive digital document using Adobe PDF and designed for display on a computer screen (or printed for student texts).

The Multimedia Guidebook includes tips on news gathering and website management, and it sets standards in five categories:

  • Coverage and Content
  • Interactivity/Community Tools
  • Breaking News
  • Design and Navigation
  • Rich Media

NSPA Executive Director Logan Aimone debuted the guidebook in a session at the recent JEA/NSPA convention in Phoenix: “The Multimedia Guidebook: A National Standard.” The screen presenation from that session is available for download as a PDF to provide more information.

The guidebook will set the standards for NSPA’s first-ever website critiques, now available using this entry form. Whether your publication website is well-established or you are just starting up, NSPA’s critique services can provide valuable ideas, tips and suggestions for improvement to help you plan for your website’s growth.