Let me begin by saying this; I'm a traditionalist. If I have a choice to craft (or even read) a story with or without words, I will always choose the former. Without a written element, I feel like almost any journalistic creation is lacking something crucial. However, as we progress through the digital age, I realize that view is antiquated. So, let's talk about a couple instances where a journalist can get away with only including a video/photo or audio slideshow.
One time a journalist could run just a video/photo or audio slideshow is if they were doing a feature piece on a location. So, for example, if I did a feature on a location in California, I could get away with just including shots of the location with a voice over (and, if possible, a few interviews with residents or business owners). This kind of reporting would do enough to set the scene and describe the location that words would be unnecessary.
An instance where a reporter could get away with including a video instead of a full length story would be when doing a feature on a person with an interesting profession. If, for example, a reporter wanted to describe and showcase that person's typical day at work, they could include a video or a soundslide creation that shows readers what the person does and where they do it.
One time a journalist could run just a video/photo or audio slideshow is if they were doing a feature piece on a location. So, for example, if I did a feature on a location in California, I could get away with just including shots of the location with a voice over (and, if possible, a few interviews with residents or business owners). This kind of reporting would do enough to set the scene and describe the location that words would be unnecessary.
An instance where a reporter could get away with including a video instead of a full length story would be when doing a feature on a person with an interesting profession. If, for example, a reporter wanted to describe and showcase that person's typical day at work, they could include a video or a soundslide creation that shows readers what the person does and where they do it.