Multimedia Journalism Draws Traffic

Multimedia coverage of a multiple murder trial has resulted in record numbers of web visitors for two newspapers.

Journalists at the Ipswich Evening Star and East Anglian Daily Times used an array of digital tools for reporting on the trial of convicted serial killer Steve Wright.

Internal figures suggest the affiliated websites doubled the number of unique users visiting during the trial period, reports Journalism.co.uk.

Publisher Archant also states that the websites increased the frequency of visits in the first months of 2008.

The titles provided blanket coverage of the trial, with reporters submitting live updates for the websites direct from court.

[Multimedia Storytelling For Murder Trial]

Specialist online reporting of the case also included the use of interactive maps to highlight the key locations.

“Staff at the Star and the Anglian have taken to doing online coverage,” commented Archant Suffolk web editor James Goffin.

He added: “It was a big demand on them to be doing constant updates throughout the day.”