## How a tech article is born: the case of automated surveillance Writing about technology, and especially surveillance, presents unique challenges. Maintaining public attention on a single theme or company, as in the case of the automated license plate recognition company Flock, requires constant commitment and ever-new and interesting reporting. After a while, the risk is that the public gets tired. It, therefore, becomes essential to continually raise the bar, finding new angles and relevant information. If an article is not read, it could be a sign that the topic has lost interest. The persistence of interest in Flock, despite the potentially repetitive nature of the topic, is a positive surprise. It shows that, with the right approach, even complex and specific topics can continue to generate engagement over time. In general, technology journalism requires a constant balance between the importance of a topic and the interest of the public. It is a puzzle to be put together with care, to ensure that the information reaches as many people as possible.