Internet and journalism " à la française "

Three kinds of items in a journal (paper or Web)

1. The bare " facts "

There are no natural " facts " in a field such as Computers industry. But announcements by vendors, financial results, contracts with users, and so on.

Generally known from vendors.

Here the best way to pass the information to our readers is to give them the original information of the press release, or original sayings of a person, etc. In most cases, a pointer on the vendor URL will be the best. Possibly with a résumé written by us. Or translation in local language.

Graphic and sound data will be taken from vendor files.

This work does not require high level of technical or writing skills. It will be done by assistants, under supervision. There will be no signature, but only an indication of the source, if necessary.

2. Objectified " facts "

To reach more objectively the facts, we must use tools such as inquiries, tests, benchmarks of products, industrial reviews...

Here the information will be mostly presented in formal forms: tables, chronological sequences, directories...

These will be done systematically.

They must as far as possible " permanent ", i.e.

- the present state: products presently deliverable, last prices known...

- if known, past states and evaluation of possible future announcements

This part will be " no lingual ", with use of logical presentations, reference to international standars and unit systems. The textual parts will be multilingual, possibly with automated translation processes. That is here normally easy, as this part deals mainly with technical terms.

As far as possible, these data should be compiled at world wide level, with cooperation with other countries publictions or test labs.

It may be necessary, nevertheless, to adapt even the content to local condistions (product availabilty, prices, local taxes).

Graphic and sound data will come from vendor files. Sometimes from photographs taken in shows or in test labs. Or schemas designed by labs.

This work requires more technical competence, and few editorial skills. It shoud be done mainly by technicians. The signature, if any, will be collective (lab, corporation).

3. Analyses/Synthesis/Editorials : Journalism " à la française "

The elementary facts being provided by 1 and 2 kind of articles, this part concentrates the analyses and standpoints of experts. They maybe " journalists " or " analysts ".

The documents will always bring style and personal engagements, and signature is an essential part.

The lenght of articles, the part of text, image or other multimedia forms of expression will vary from short phrases to long texts or videos. Basic facts, technical tables and schedules... will be excluded (except in very specific cases). There will be no effort to separate opinion from facts, these ontes being presented in other parts, with appropriate pointers.

The language will be english or local, according to the target aimed at.