Multimedia news services, such as Newsline, are a powerful way for delivering information, Porter says. Only a short time from now, people will go to one screen for things that they now go to the TV, telephone, and library to do. Throughout the web site, articles are cross-referenced to Newsline archives to provide background material. The site is updated each day by the desk editors at The Daily Universe. Craig Craze, on-line editor for Newsline, believes BYU alumni are a key public for the service.
People keep coming back because the news is fresh every day.
The service originally began as a database for the 1994 congressional elections, storing mug shots, news releases, and candidate backgrounds as a resource for newsroom reporters at The Daily Universe and at KBYU news. Porter says the home page soon was being accessed by those surfing the World Wide Web, and the newsroom received fan mail from all over the world. The service has grown rapidly from its two-person beginnings two years ago. Because the program is under development, The Daily Universe still contributes the majority of material to the service, though large feature stories utilize clips from KBYU as well. Porter says he hopes to create more joint projects as Newsline develops.