25 Things I've Learned About Journalism
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Today is my big day. To commemorate the birthday festivities here are 25 things I've learned about journalism.
1. There is no such thing as a small story, only small thinking.
2. Sources always call back well after the story has run.
3. A cop is harder to interview than a criminal.
4. Someone somewhere will always be upset about any given story I've written.
5. Behind every good reporter is a good editor (or three).
6. Good headphones are a great investment. Unless you let someone borrow them.
7. Breaking news will always happen 20 minutes before shift is over.
8. White balancing is my friend.
9. Business and sports reporting are the hardest beats to cover unless you have a passion for them.
10. Journalists plagiarize each other more than they do outside sources.
11. Never stand downwind from a fire.
12. The small market television news reporter is the original backpack journalist.
13. Beat reporting is cyclical.
14. Nothing beats an old fashioned pen and notepad.
15. There is a 75 percent chance that I will have recorded bad audio.
16. Most journalists aren't the heartless bloodsuckers the public thinks we are.
17. You can't always fix it in post.
18. THE INTERNET WILL BE THE DEATH OF MEDIA AS WE KNOW IT!!!
19. Scientists and journalists speak two different languages.
20. Make it to the scene before the TV reporter.
21. There is no such thing as "unbiased."
22. It's better to get off the phone and out of the office.
23. A deadline web project will always take two hours longer than I think it will.
24. If journalism becomes a chore, find a new profession.
25. Always keep a spare battery.
1. There is no such thing as a small story, only small thinking.
2. Sources always call back well after the story has run.
3. A cop is harder to interview than a criminal.
4. Someone somewhere will always be upset about any given story I've written.
5. Behind every good reporter is a good editor (or three).
6. Good headphones are a great investment. Unless you let someone borrow them.
7. Breaking news will always happen 20 minutes before shift is over.
8. White balancing is my friend.
9. Business and sports reporting are the hardest beats to cover unless you have a passion for them.
10. Journalists plagiarize each other more than they do outside sources.
11. Never stand downwind from a fire.
12. The small market television news reporter is the original backpack journalist.
13. Beat reporting is cyclical.
14. Nothing beats an old fashioned pen and notepad.
15. There is a 75 percent chance that I will have recorded bad audio.
16. Most journalists aren't the heartless bloodsuckers the public thinks we are.
17. You can't always fix it in post.
18. THE INTERNET WILL BE THE DEATH OF MEDIA AS WE KNOW IT!!!
19. Scientists and journalists speak two different languages.
20. Make it to the scene before the TV reporter.
21. There is no such thing as "unbiased."
22. It's better to get off the phone and out of the office.
23. A deadline web project will always take two hours longer than I think it will.
24. If journalism becomes a chore, find a new profession.
25. Always keep a spare battery.
7 Comments
Joan Says:
I second Alexandre's words. I'm especially proud of "there's no such thing as unbiased." It's great to hear someone say that.
fionnaacaba Says:
"always keep a spare battery" - true! or you're dead haha :)
"make it to the scene before theTV reporter - super true! there are a lot of benefits and power if you do! :)
"make it to the scene before theTV reporter - super true! there are a lot of benefits and power if you do! :)
Says:
Regarding #9:
I'm a business reporter. I cover banks and it's something I'm not passionate about. But somehow I excel in it.
I'm a business reporter. I cover banks and it's something I'm not passionate about. But somehow I excel in it.
February 20, 2008 1:30 AM