Why Blog?

I don't struggle with writing news stories. After I get my assignment, I read press releases, look at biographies, and check out other sources of information. When it comes to blogging, it's more difficult. News stories are more objective. I can separate myself from them. My blog posts, on the other hand, are my ideas and experiences. They are directly related to me.

So why blog? I think it's a great form of expressing my ideas. I started blogging because a professor wanted her students to gain experience with different forms of media. I thought I would hate it, but I love it.

At times, I struggle for the right words or the right topic. At times, I second-guess what I've written. Quite a few posts have never been put online for this reason.  But through blogging, I've gained a voice that I didn't have before.

I have focused this blog on journalism. This post isn't any different. As a young journalist, I want to blog to share my experiences in the field, even if I don't have that many. I also want to join in the journalistic community. Many journalists have created blogs. Many news media outlets have created blogs. Blogs encourage dialogue. That's where journalism is moving. Journalism is no longer one-way communication from the reporter to the audience.

By blogging, I am encouraging dialogue. If you like my posts, if you disagree with my posts, if you have additional information, feel free to comment. Dialogue is what journalism is all about nowadays. My blogging experience has helped me engage in that dialogue.

With all this talk of dialogue, feel free to share your comments.

Journalism and Twitter

While on Twitter, I found some information that I feel that journalists should know about Twitter.
In "Two percent of online adults in U.S. use Twitter daily," a report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, 55% of Twitter users share news stories. It seems that I'm not the only one sharing news stories with family, friends, and co-workers.

TV anchor Chris Ketz gave 5 Twitter tips for the news anchor (or anyone). My favorite tip is number 5.

I also found some posts from Craig Kanalley from his website http://www.twitterjournalism.com/. His posts, "10 Pros And 10 Cons of Twitter For Journalists," "How To Verify A Tweet," and "The Many Ways Journalists Can Use Twitter," provide good information for journalists wanting to use Twitter.

If you have tips about using Twitter, feel free to share.

Quotes: "Ah, I Never Heard that Before"

I was once told that if a statement makes you say "Ah, I never heard that before," then it's worthy of being quoted. This has stuck with me while interviewing. If it makes me say "Ah, I never heard that before," there's a good chance that others will say the same.

To be honest, quotes used to make me nervous. I felt obliged to use them, but unsure of how they would fit into my story. At times, I would hope that the interviewee would say something quotable. I would fish for more when I hadn't gotten something yet. Although I disliked not having a quote, I disliked discarding quotes even more when the quote that I liked did not help the story overall.

I am happy to say that I no longer fear quotes. I keep the "Ah, I never heard that before" idea in the back of my head. After conducting a couple of interviews, I still get excited when I have someone who provides me with lots of quotable statements.

Does Age Help or Hurt in Establishing Rapport?

When I conducted my first official face-to-face interview for a recent article, the interviewee asked how many years I had been working as a journalist. My age showed. I appear several years younger than I actually am. I wonder if my age will ever sabotage my building rapport with interviewees. Of course, they know that I'm young, but they also know that I must be qualified since I am interviewing them.

Being young is a double-edged sword. My demeanor sets me apart. I want my interviewees to see me as professional. However, my youth will be associated with inexperience. Only time can help this issue.

During phone interviews, my age doesn't show. When I interviewed a pageant queen, she never realized that we were about the same age. As I prepare for a phone interview with bishop-elect, I wonder if he will get a sense of my age.

Do Journalists Get Writer's Block?

It has been almost a week since my last post. Why? The answer is writer's block. Then, my frustration became my inspiration. Do journalist get writer's block?

While I have read that journalists can't get writer's block, I think it still exists for journalists. The cure, however, is the deadline. When I have time to work on something, the pressure to complete the task isn't there. On the other hand, when time starts to dwindle, the words come forth.

Although writer's block is a minute issue for journalists, journalists can still benefit from tips on how to cure writer's block that could occur when the pressure is not there. One tip is creatively procrastinate. By this, I mean work on other tasks that need to get done. You'll procrastinate when it comes to writing, but you will still be getting some things on your to-do list done. Another tip is to just walk away from the computer. The bright light could cause eye strain. Additionally, sitting at a computer and leaning forward can cause tension in your body. Getting up to pour yourself some coffee can help you relax and give you a second wind. My last tip is read. If you're a journalist, you probably love reading articles. Take a break and read an article. It'll keep your mind active. Additionally, when you return to your writing, your mind will be refreshed because you focused on a different task.

Feel free to add tips that have helped you overcome writer's block.

Am I Tweet-worthy? Social Media and Journalism

Whenever I read an interesting article or seen an attention-grabbing newscast, I share it through my Twitter and my Facebook accounts. Recently, it dawned on me, "Will any of my news stories be tweet-worthy or worthy of sharing on Facebook?"

Nowadays, social media has become a powerful force. It is no surprise that journalism has connected with social media. In an earlier post, I said, "Journalists present an issue, but they do not tell others how to feel about the issue. Journalists serve as an intervening public by carrying a message to the public." So if journalism is the intervening channel that shares the message, then social media provides the means to let audience members express opinions.

Social media has also become an intervening public in some ways. Some of the articles I've read recently were posted by others. I found the byline interesting and clicked.

Social media and journalism are converging. Engaging in more social media has kept me connected, connected to tips and tricks of the trade, connected with other journalists, and connected stories that spark my interest.

Now, going back to my question from the beginning. "Will any of my news stories be tweet-worthy or worthy of sharing on Facebook?" Only time will tell. However, if 21 people "like" my story through their Facebook account, I know that at least 21 people read and enjoyed my story. So maybe social media can also assure me that someone found me tweet-worthy?

Women in Journalism

Newsweek recently published an article titled, "Year of the Woman? Eight Jobs That Are Still Sexist." Among these careers was journalism, specifically print journalism. Although since 1977 more women have graduated in the field of journalism than men, men's bylines outnumber those of women 7 to 1. Women are even interviewed less than men.

This has led me to think about some of the great women journalists throughout our history, such as Ida Tarbell, Nellie Bly, Marguerite Higgins, and Ethel L. Payne. These women made significant contributions to a field dominated by men through investigative journalism, war correspondence, and political reporting.

Ida Tarbell brought down the Standard Oil Company. Nellie Bly, a pioneer in investigative journalism, covered issues concerning the poor and the disenfranchised. Marguerite Higgins interviewed world leaders and created a place of esteem for female war correspondents. Lastly, Ethel L Payne, the "First Lady of the Black Press," reported on the civil rights movements and military efforts during the Vietnam conflict.

But, this still leaves one unanswered question. Where does a young female journalist stand in a world that still favors men today?

You May Be A Journalist If...

Every career has certain characteristics that those in the field must have or usually have. In this case, you may be a journalist if...

• you're curious
• you're sociable
• you're resourceful
• you hate secrecy, but you can keep secrets
• you like gossip, but you also check the sources to make sure that the information is true
• you don't mind hard work
• you don't mind controversy
• you don't mind working late nights

If these characteristics fit you, then you just might be a journalist.

Does Anyone Still Read Newspapers?

I remember in the instructor of my News Writing class, Mrs. Megan Toland, presenting the following quote to my class. Paul Saffo from the Institute for the Future stated, “Paper won’t disappear (in the future), but paperless media will soak up more of our time.  We will eventually become paperless the way we once became horseless.  Horses are still around, but they are ridden by hobbyists, not consumers.” This led to a discussion over the decline of newspapers and the rise of news online.

I thought that I would fight for paper-versions of newspapers. However, when my school newspaper voted between a physical paper and an online version, I preferred the online version.

A few nights ago, I stayed up late trying to read interesting articles that popped up in my news feed. The next morning, I thought about how many times I had used the Internet to access news stories as opposed to paper-version newspapers. So now my question is “Does anyone still read newspapers?” As society moves away from older forms of media, such as print media, towards those centered on the Internet, will newspaper be able to survive?

Are Journalists Still Gatekeepers?

In the past, the news was a one-way communication between the journalists and the audience. Recently there has been a push for journalists to engage in a dialogue with the audience. Audience members no longer just watch or read news stories. Now, audience members actively seek out information that is relevant to them. Most audience members feel they should be able to get news on their own terms, however, whenever, and wherever. Now, the audience can participate in the news. Audience members are encouraged to leave comments about news stories or to submit pictures related to the story.

Some people think that journalists should lose control and engage in this dialogue. Some do not want to give up control. What do you think? Should journalists engage in dialogue with the audience or should journalists retain control over the media?

Do Journalists Affect Public Opinion?

Journalists present an issue, but they do not tell others how to feel about the issue. Journalists serve as an intervening public by carrying a message to the public. There have probably been times where you have read a story about a company have developed an opinion of that company based on the information presented.

Do any of the following names sound familiar, Ida Tarbell, Bob Woodward, or Carl Bernstein? Even if these names do not sound familiar, you are probably familiar with their work. Ida Tarbell wrote The History of the Standard Oil. Not only did this exposé bring down the Standard Oil Company, it also helped bring about the U.S. antitrust actions against the company. Woodward and Bernstein were responsible for the exposing the Watergate Scandal.

As you can see by the work of these journalists, journalists can serve as a big influence on public opinion of a person and/or company. Tarbell, Woodward, and Bernstein presented issues. Readers decided how to feel about the issues.

Mentoring in Journalism

This past weekend, I attended the 23rd Annual Arkansas Black Student Association Conference hosted by Arkansas State University. Many of the speakers at the conference referred to mentoring. So many of the speakers had achieved a high status in their career field. Now they were giving back to the next generation.

It seems that every young professional should have a mentor. A mentor will not only help the mentee learn how to get further in his/her career, but will always check in on the mentee to support and correct the mentee. Young journalists can learn from those already in the field. A young journalist with a mentor can avoid some of the pitfalls that accompany being young, being new, and being apprehensive. Even just talking to a seasoned veteran can be a source of encouragement.

Young journalists should look for a mentor. Additionally, since mentoring is a two-way street, veterans should find mentees to take under their wings. Both will get a rewarding experience from the interaction.

The Non-Negotiables of Journalism

I recently read a feature on Patti Stanger, the matchmaker from Bravo's "The Millionaire Matchmaker." During the interview, Stanger said that everyone has non-negotiables. In the dating world, these may be that your date has to be so tall, that your date has to like dogs, or that your date must have a good sense of humor. Then, it occurred to me. Journalists should have non-negotiables as well.

One non-negotiable may be that you won't write a story that will harm someone. Another may be that you will only keep sources anonymous if the source explicitly asks that his/her identity be kept secret. Most journalists will find that their non-negotiables correspond to their ethics.

Below I have included a link to the Code of Ethics from the Society of Professional Journalists. I have also included the Policy on Ethics in Journalism from the New York Times to show codes of ethics in the workplace. Lastly, I posted the link to the feature on Stanger for those who are interested in reading it.

The Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics: http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp

The New York Times Company Policy on Ethics in Journalism: http://www.nytco.com/press/ethics.html

Feature on Stanger: http://www.tvsquad.com/2010/10/18/patti-stanger-millionaire-matchmaker-interview/?icid=main%7Chp-laptop%7Cdl2%7Csec1_lnk3%7C178642

Media Convergence and the Young Journalist

The world of journalism has seen a change. In the past, journalists trained for jobs as newspaper reporters or magazine designers, television reporters or producers, or photojournalists. One person wrote the story, one person took the photo, and one person put stories on the web. Now the different forms of media are converging, journalists need to have knowledge and experience with print, broadcast, and internet media. Learning various skills with all these forms will make a young journalist more competitive.

Note to Self: Journalists Should Have A Good Sense of Direction

Yesterday, I travelled to Little Rock to conduct an interview. My interview was scheduled to happen during the VIP reception within the two hours before the concert. I left early enough to get there on time. I also borrowed a GPS for the trip. However, a GPS is only as good as the user. The address was on Highway 161. The GPS did not have Highway 161 as an option. To make a long story short, I got lost. Well, I got as lost as you can get with a GPS. I knew where I was. I just didn't know how to get to where I wasn't.

Luckily, I had my contact's phone number. She had gotten lost as well. She passed her phone to someone who knew the directions. I paid as close attention to her directions as I could. When she hung up, I gave myself a pep talk and drove onward. Yes, I had to turn around because I missed the correct exit the first time. On the other hand, I was able to give my friend great directions so she could join me for the concert.

And for my interview: It went well. It was my first interview in person. Suprisingly, I wasn't that nervous during the interview. I got two interviews under my belt now. I can't wait to see where life carries me. I just hope GPS recognizes how to get there.