Sometimes it can be suffocating to be a part of today's ever-evolving information age, but feeling like you're on top of things gives you an ego boost that's hard to describe.
I have yet to Twitter, but listening to Ellyn Angelotti of The Poynter Institute describe what makes the fairly new social networking site awesome, I knew I'd be on the site soon enough.
Many of the Twitter functions she talked about were basically things I'd use Facebook for when reporting. I've "followed" individuals by befriending them online and reading their updated statuses, notes and posted items. Same with groups, where I could know every event a student club was hosting.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Thanks, Grandma
What does a pregnant 59-year-old great-grandmother have to do with journalism?
Everything.
The great-grandmother, with the help of Colleen Fitzpatrick, a career coach with the Chips Quinn Scholars program, retaught me that beneath it all, accuracy is everything.
In a small-group critique we dissected a story of a pregnant 59-year-old great grandmother. The main problem with it was that there was no verification behind it. No doctor to speak to the pregnancy. No husband, either. The bad news is that the story by The Associated Press actually ran in newspapers. The good news is that it's a perfect lesson for a beginning journalist: don't just take anyone's word.
Through this and other exercises in our small breakout groups with our coaches, I've been reminded of what to do in my internship and definitely what not to do.
This will be my fourth internship and I feel more prepared than ever to enter the newsroom in Bend, Ore., on Feb. 2. I know what my goals are and I have solid, clear ways to execute my success. And it's all because of a great-grandmother.
Everything.
The great-grandmother, with the help of Colleen Fitzpatrick, a career coach with the Chips Quinn Scholars program, retaught me that beneath it all, accuracy is everything.
In a small-group critique we dissected a story of a pregnant 59-year-old great grandmother. The main problem with it was that there was no verification behind it. No doctor to speak to the pregnancy. No husband, either. The bad news is that the story by The Associated Press actually ran in newspapers. The good news is that it's a perfect lesson for a beginning journalist: don't just take anyone's word.
Through this and other exercises in our small breakout groups with our coaches, I've been reminded of what to do in my internship and definitely what not to do.
This will be my fourth internship and I feel more prepared than ever to enter the newsroom in Bend, Ore., on Feb. 2. I know what my goals are and I have solid, clear ways to execute my success. And it's all because of a great-grandmother.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
John Quinn’s words inspire
John Quinn knows the speech he is about to give is one many have heard several times before, and a note he penned in 1997 helps him to stick to that tried-and-true prose.
When he steps in front of the class, though, it sounds as if he is giving the speech for the first time. With each story and anecdote, Quinn manages to tell a story rich in morals and lessons while speaking with the air of a man who has seen (nearly) everything and learned from each experience.
I have enjoyed every part of orientation so far. From the first dinner with breadcrumb-topped salmon to hearing about the mistakes of other Chipsters that are not to be repeated, I cannot express how informative and fun this has been. What strikes me the most is simply listening to the respect and true feeling of kinship that is passed down from people such as Quinn, co-founder of the Chips Quinn Scholars Program, and Jack Marsh, vice president of diversity programs for the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute. It is truly empowering to hear such words.
Quinn said his mother instilled in him the value of self-confidence—a vitally important trait. Because of the caring nature of the folks at the Diversity Institute and their effort to help each Chipster experience success, I know that this lesson will be carried on.
After all, this lesson has already stood the test of time.
When he steps in front of the class, though, it sounds as if he is giving the speech for the first time. With each story and anecdote, Quinn manages to tell a story rich in morals and lessons while speaking with the air of a man who has seen (nearly) everything and learned from each experience.
I have enjoyed every part of orientation so far. From the first dinner with breadcrumb-topped salmon to hearing about the mistakes of other Chipsters that are not to be repeated, I cannot express how informative and fun this has been. What strikes me the most is simply listening to the respect and true feeling of kinship that is passed down from people such as Quinn, co-founder of the Chips Quinn Scholars Program, and Jack Marsh, vice president of diversity programs for the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute. It is truly empowering to hear such words.
Quinn said his mother instilled in him the value of self-confidence—a vitally important trait. Because of the caring nature of the folks at the Diversity Institute and their effort to help each Chipster experience success, I know that this lesson will be carried on.
After all, this lesson has already stood the test of time.
The sum of the parts
What resonates with me?
It's not any particular session, but the entire weekend so far. It's not any particular person, but everyone I've had the pleasure of meeting.
I know -- it's a vague and broad answer, but it's true. It's not the easy way out, either. I scratched my head and thought long and hard; I even took a lonely walk through the frigid air after lunch to clear my head. When I hear the old-timers talking about the First Amendment, it stirs something within me -- a sense of history, and, more than that, a sense of my place in it. When I see my fellow scholars defending the First Amendment, it fills me with hope. These people, this program -- they let me know, or more accurately, they demonstrate to me that I am not alone.
I am not alone in my passion and in my desire to be a good reporter. I am not alone in the problems that I face, which I especially saw in our small break-out sessions. I learned that many of my colleagues became reporters to tell the story of a group of people who would otherwise be ignored by the mainstream media. That's why I became a reporter, too.
So, really, it's unfair for me to single out any particular session, and I steadfastly refuse to do so.
It's not any particular session, but the entire weekend so far. It's not any particular person, but everyone I've had the pleasure of meeting.
I know -- it's a vague and broad answer, but it's true. It's not the easy way out, either. I scratched my head and thought long and hard; I even took a lonely walk through the frigid air after lunch to clear my head. When I hear the old-timers talking about the First Amendment, it stirs something within me -- a sense of history, and, more than that, a sense of my place in it. When I see my fellow scholars defending the First Amendment, it fills me with hope. These people, this program -- they let me know, or more accurately, they demonstrate to me that I am not alone.
I am not alone in my passion and in my desire to be a good reporter. I am not alone in the problems that I face, which I especially saw in our small break-out sessions. I learned that many of my colleagues became reporters to tell the story of a group of people who would otherwise be ignored by the mainstream media. That's why I became a reporter, too.
So, really, it's unfair for me to single out any particular session, and I steadfastly refuse to do so.
‘Out of great tragedy can come greatness’
When people die, the people who love them keep their memories alive. Such is the story behind the Chips Quinn Scholars program for journalists of color.
After Chips Quinn died, his mother and father wanted a way to keep his memory alive. They decided to honor his commitment to diverse newsrooms by starting a program that would continue that commitment.
The story that Chips Quinn's father John C. Quinn shared with us about how the program began had an inspiring message that out of great tragedy can come greatness. I appreciated him telling us the story and about his son so we know why we are here and we can relay this story to others.
After Chips Quinn died, his mother and father wanted a way to keep his memory alive. They decided to honor his commitment to diverse newsrooms by starting a program that would continue that commitment.
The story that Chips Quinn's father John C. Quinn shared with us about how the program began had an inspiring message that out of great tragedy can come greatness. I appreciated him telling us the story and about his son so we know why we are here and we can relay this story to others.
Dynamic duo
The session led by Edd Bowser and Javacia Harris, he a copy editor and she a reporter at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky., about the first five graphs of a story has been the most beneficial so far. The beginning of a story is always the most difficult part for me. The way Edd and Javacia broke down the key elements helped make the task seem less formidable. The mock press conference helped drive the lessons home and gave me the opportunity to attempt everything they had just talked about. It was interactive and simplified. I could relate to what they said and how they presented it, and thus I could understand it. I now have more confidence in my ability to write compelling leads and opening graphs using the formula they gave. I know my leads won't all read the same because the formula is so flexible and leaves room for creativity. It's not often that a session resonates with me as much as this one did, and I know it will stick with me long after I leave here.
Online crackerjack
Ellyn Angelotti knows about the future of online journalism. Her task to reshape The Poynter Institute's online resources with the latest social tools and media innovations will be closely watched by those of us also wanting to change the online experience into something more dynamic. Her enthusiasm and knowledge were inspiring as she showed how networking and online communities can best be put to work for newspapers, media outlets and journalists.
Taking the First Amendment for granted no longer
As the gray-haired man entered the Vanderbilt commons and approached the table, you could hear the murmurs from staff and scholars. He sat and began chatting with those around him, and the sense was that here was a very important person.
When I returned to the Diversity Institute room we are beginning to consider home, I saw the man walk in. He was our next speaker. He was First Amendment Center founder John Seigenthaler, a man whose name I had seen in the hallway leading to the Diversity Institute’s library Thursday night. He worked with Robert F. Kennedy and counted him and his brother, John F. Kennedy, as friends during the 1960s.
Seigenthaler spoke to us about the First Amendment and immediately said something that made me appreciate where I was, both in life and in journalism. He told us to “never take the First Amendment for granted.”
It resonated with me and made me think about the ways in which I had taken it for granted.
As a journalist, there is an unspoken respect for the First Amendment. Because of this amendment, many wrongs have been righted. Because of this amendment, those who think they cannot speak find their voice in newspapers. Because of this amendment, I can pursue, even as a Hispanic, a career in such a noble field.
As for seeing Seigenthaler’s name in the hallway, there is a steel pipe inside a glass case, about one foot long and having the diameter of a quarter. A note says that Bobby Kennedy gave him the pipe as a gift. It was the pipe that had knocked Seigenthaler unconscious while protecting a Freedom Rider during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.
Because of knowing how much he sacrificed, I can say that I feel I have done nothing to show my appreciation for the First Amendment. I had taken it for granted. No longer. I will pass along what I have learned and I will always appreciate the opportunities I have been given.
When I returned to the Diversity Institute room we are beginning to consider home, I saw the man walk in. He was our next speaker. He was First Amendment Center founder John Seigenthaler, a man whose name I had seen in the hallway leading to the Diversity Institute’s library Thursday night. He worked with Robert F. Kennedy and counted him and his brother, John F. Kennedy, as friends during the 1960s.
Seigenthaler spoke to us about the First Amendment and immediately said something that made me appreciate where I was, both in life and in journalism. He told us to “never take the First Amendment for granted.”
It resonated with me and made me think about the ways in which I had taken it for granted.
As a journalist, there is an unspoken respect for the First Amendment. Because of this amendment, many wrongs have been righted. Because of this amendment, those who think they cannot speak find their voice in newspapers. Because of this amendment, I can pursue, even as a Hispanic, a career in such a noble field.
As for seeing Seigenthaler’s name in the hallway, there is a steel pipe inside a glass case, about one foot long and having the diameter of a quarter. A note says that Bobby Kennedy gave him the pipe as a gift. It was the pipe that had knocked Seigenthaler unconscious while protecting a Freedom Rider during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.
Because of knowing how much he sacrificed, I can say that I feel I have done nothing to show my appreciation for the First Amendment. I had taken it for granted. No longer. I will pass along what I have learned and I will always appreciate the opportunities I have been given.
Chipsters ‘armed and ready’
As I make my transition to a new town, unfamiliar newsroom and an uncharted beat, I am now loaded with golden nuggets on how to approach my assignment.
Developing story ideas cannot and will not be a problem. There will be no dead horses to beat. My ears are still ringing with the words "get out of the office." If that doesn't resonate with reporters anywhere, I'm not sure how they'll get ahead.
We are explorers. Jack Marsh called us out on being curious and nosy, but why wouldn't we want to know anything about everything?
And just how do we get this information? Stepping out of the newsroom could be more than just a breath of fresh air and relief from computer screen-induced tunnel vision. It is what makes the story, bringing flavor to a setting and life to a source.
Watch out newsrooms, the Chipsters are armed and ready.
Developing story ideas cannot and will not be a problem. There will be no dead horses to beat. My ears are still ringing with the words "get out of the office." If that doesn't resonate with reporters anywhere, I'm not sure how they'll get ahead.
We are explorers. Jack Marsh called us out on being curious and nosy, but why wouldn't we want to know anything about everything?
And just how do we get this information? Stepping out of the newsroom could be more than just a breath of fresh air and relief from computer screen-induced tunnel vision. It is what makes the story, bringing flavor to a setting and life to a source.
Watch out newsrooms, the Chipsters are armed and ready.
Loie Legacy Recipients
(Photo by Val Hoeppner)
From left: Alums Ryan Hiraki (Summer 2001 and Spring 2002), reporter, The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla.; John C. Quinn, co-founder of the Chips Quinn program; Javacia Harris (Summer 2002), staff writer, Velocity; and Edd Bowser (Summer 2001), assistant slot editor, The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Ky.
The three received the Loie Legacy Awards, in memory of the First Lady of the Chips Quinn Scholars program. The award (aka Chips-Loie Hug Award) is given to alums of the program who have demonstrated the same lessons Loie taught her son, Chips – “Care. Care. Care. Take it. Show It.”
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Turn the Kaleidoscope
Mediocrity is the devil.
Working in a bureau, I'm expected to churn out daily stories, briefs and photo ideas to feed the beast that is the community section.
I won’t lie. They're mostly dull.
In less than an hour with Mary Ann Hogan, Chips Quinn Scholars career coach, I learned to 'turn the kaleidoscope' to find the most compelling daily story while gathering string on an enterprise story.
City council meetings? Punch 'em out in 15 minutes to get to the goods.
Briefs? Fall into an efficient routine and get faster.
Throwing around story ideas in Hogan’s small group, I shared an idea I have been interested in for a while. We turned the kaleidoscope. Mary Ann called it a national story.
I learned that with the push of my career coach and the collective brains of my peers, a seemingly routine story idea can be elevated to an A1 centerpiece.
Mary Ann doesn't know this yet, but I will be hitting her up for feedback as I progress with this story. You too, Group.
For the first time since I've entered the real world, I've truly learned the value of taking advantage of the resources I have.
Working in a bureau, I'm expected to churn out daily stories, briefs and photo ideas to feed the beast that is the community section.
I won’t lie. They're mostly dull.
In less than an hour with Mary Ann Hogan, Chips Quinn Scholars career coach, I learned to 'turn the kaleidoscope' to find the most compelling daily story while gathering string on an enterprise story.
City council meetings? Punch 'em out in 15 minutes to get to the goods.
Briefs? Fall into an efficient routine and get faster.
Throwing around story ideas in Hogan’s small group, I shared an idea I have been interested in for a while. We turned the kaleidoscope. Mary Ann called it a national story.
I learned that with the push of my career coach and the collective brains of my peers, a seemingly routine story idea can be elevated to an A1 centerpiece.
Mary Ann doesn't know this yet, but I will be hitting her up for feedback as I progress with this story. You too, Group.
For the first time since I've entered the real world, I've truly learned the value of taking advantage of the resources I have.
Pushing it Forward
"It's not over until the fat lady sings. " In newsrooms, that is too often true.
The idea of "pushing your story forward” is something reporters routinely fail to do, said Val Hoeppner, multimedia manager at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute.
Colleen Fitzpatrick, Chips Quinn Scholars career coach, agreed, reminding us that reporting doesn’t end once the obvious questions have been asked. There are always different perspectives to explore, other sources to evaluate. "Pushing your story forward” can also include using different multimedia components like photography or video.
The constant search for another way to report stories might not always be fruitful. But it allows you to develop innovative critical thinking skills, important at any stage of our career. After Friday’s sessions, I know my reporting methods will change to push my stories forward.
The idea of "pushing your story forward” is something reporters routinely fail to do, said Val Hoeppner, multimedia manager at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute.
Colleen Fitzpatrick, Chips Quinn Scholars career coach, agreed, reminding us that reporting doesn’t end once the obvious questions have been asked. There are always different perspectives to explore, other sources to evaluate. "Pushing your story forward” can also include using different multimedia components like photography or video.
The constant search for another way to report stories might not always be fruitful. But it allows you to develop innovative critical thinking skills, important at any stage of our career. After Friday’s sessions, I know my reporting methods will change to push my stories forward.
The Five Freedoms and Me
Freedom of religion, speech and the press. The freedom to assemble and to petition. Now I'm part of the 3 percent of Americans who know the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment — and I know them by heart. I am part of that special statistic thanks to First Amendment Center Founder John Seigenthaler and USA Today Editor Ken Paulson's First Amendment refresher. I was also reminded about the importance of breaking down statistics, of showing the faces behind the headlines -- or should I say, RSS feeds.
Amidst the crazy "media carnival" of news surrounding us, it's easy to forget about the basics, such as the First Amendment or why we're here in the first place: to tell stories. Whether it's RSS feeds, Twitter, or Facebook, we have more information to sift and sort through than ever before, which is both frightening and exciting to both a journalist and media consumer.
Today has helped me put this information overload age into perspective. The bottom line is quality. No matter what the medium, stories should be relevant and engaging. Instead of writing follow-up stories, we as journalists should push stories forward, advancing them in fresh and innovative ways. It's about deductive reasoning, and what medium works best. The key, said Val Hoeppner, multimedia manager at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute, is to make sure that people aren't statistics. Although I might be part of many statistics – including fresh Chipster, and now, First Amendment aficionado -- I never want someone to mistake me for a number. I expect myself to do the same with anyone I cover, in whatever medium I choose to cover them in.
Amidst the crazy "media carnival" of news surrounding us, it's easy to forget about the basics, such as the First Amendment or why we're here in the first place: to tell stories. Whether it's RSS feeds, Twitter, or Facebook, we have more information to sift and sort through than ever before, which is both frightening and exciting to both a journalist and media consumer.
Today has helped me put this information overload age into perspective. The bottom line is quality. No matter what the medium, stories should be relevant and engaging. Instead of writing follow-up stories, we as journalists should push stories forward, advancing them in fresh and innovative ways. It's about deductive reasoning, and what medium works best. The key, said Val Hoeppner, multimedia manager at the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute, is to make sure that people aren't statistics. Although I might be part of many statistics – including fresh Chipster, and now, First Amendment aficionado -- I never want someone to mistake me for a number. I expect myself to do the same with anyone I cover, in whatever medium I choose to cover them in.
Robo-reader?
Whose perspective am I missing? When I write a story, I have to keep in mind that I may be a voice for those who may not have one, or a louder one for those who cannot be heard. People deserve quality content in whatever medium they choose to get it from. Keeping stories fresh and relevant in a time when people are overloaded with information is challenging, but remembering to keep the human in human interest is important. It's not like robots will be reading my stories. At least not anytime soon.
Terrific Twitter
The words sounded like one tongue-twisted tale of a train wreck—not that such speech would stop Ellyn Angelotti, though.
The interactivity editor and adjunct faculty member at The Poynter Institute spoke eloquently of Twittering and Tweeting — even touching on Twellowing. It was not long before such talk of technology left me with Twittervision (which, conveniently, is now also available online).
Before this clever bit of linguistic hell was unleashed, I found myself caught in the same mindset as nearly every other inexperienced reporter — that of underestimating the level of connectivity needed to stay on top of the news. In the past, I simply looked to post stories online as a means to get my reports to the masses. Then, at home, I would occasionally stay in touch with friends through Facebook. But I failed to realize the power that lies in combining these two online avenues with other Internet-based programs.
Today’s news cycle, according to Angelotti, is much different than it was a few years ago. Instead of one circular path that news takes from the newspaper to the readers and then back, the current of news now flows in a more complex fashion. Blogging, Twittering and online social networks ensure that news is recycled and regurgitated in new forms that ultimately reach back to the reporter. It is often scary to think about, but this Internet-based news cycle is the future of journalism — and is thus exciting to learn.
Story ideas now can be developed further with the contributions of these online communities. News can reach more people than ever before and in a fraction of the time many reporters are accustomed to. I need to immerse myself in this new way of gathering and reporting the news while being connected to those around me.
It may take some time before I fully tackle Twittering. Nevertheless, the information I learned could be summed up in one word: Terrific.
The interactivity editor and adjunct faculty member at The Poynter Institute spoke eloquently of Twittering and Tweeting — even touching on Twellowing. It was not long before such talk of technology left me with Twittervision (which, conveniently, is now also available online).
Before this clever bit of linguistic hell was unleashed, I found myself caught in the same mindset as nearly every other inexperienced reporter — that of underestimating the level of connectivity needed to stay on top of the news. In the past, I simply looked to post stories online as a means to get my reports to the masses. Then, at home, I would occasionally stay in touch with friends through Facebook. But I failed to realize the power that lies in combining these two online avenues with other Internet-based programs.
Today’s news cycle, according to Angelotti, is much different than it was a few years ago. Instead of one circular path that news takes from the newspaper to the readers and then back, the current of news now flows in a more complex fashion. Blogging, Twittering and online social networks ensure that news is recycled and regurgitated in new forms that ultimately reach back to the reporter. It is often scary to think about, but this Internet-based news cycle is the future of journalism — and is thus exciting to learn.
Story ideas now can be developed further with the contributions of these online communities. News can reach more people than ever before and in a fraction of the time many reporters are accustomed to. I need to immerse myself in this new way of gathering and reporting the news while being connected to those around me.
It may take some time before I fully tackle Twittering. Nevertheless, the information I learned could be summed up in one word: Terrific.
The basics set journalists apart in cyberspace
Social networking Web sites have changed how people interact -- not only in personal lives but in professional lives as well. Sites such as Facebook and Twitter have changed how journalists and non-journalists gather information. With the Web, people can get news much faster, but information may not always be accurate. While almost anybody can break news or be an editor online, there is still a need for journalists to ensure that the information is correct and relevant.
Fresh eyes for Facebook
I've never been a fan of social networking sites. In fact, I've been skeptical, resistant -- especially when it comes to Facebook. The more that people told me I should be on Facebook, the less I wanted to be. But after about two years I gave in and joined.
I enjoy Facebook but still, I never really saw much value in it other than an easy way to keep in touch with friends (all of whom I know outside of the cyber world so I can just as easily communicate with them in a more preferred way) and distant family, and to share things like photos with a bunch of people at once.
Friday, I saw a different side of a Facebook, a more beneficial side. I never realized how valuable a tool it is for me as a reporter and representative of my community and how I can use it to find story ideas and sources. It offers more than just the silly, teenage style of social networking often associated with it and other sites like MySpace. I look forward to tapping into it.
I enjoy Facebook but still, I never really saw much value in it other than an easy way to keep in touch with friends (all of whom I know outside of the cyber world so I can just as easily communicate with them in a more preferred way) and distant family, and to share things like photos with a bunch of people at once.
Friday, I saw a different side of a Facebook, a more beneficial side. I never realized how valuable a tool it is for me as a reporter and representative of my community and how I can use it to find story ideas and sources. It offers more than just the silly, teenage style of social networking often associated with it and other sites like MySpace. I look forward to tapping into it.
Stop the presses!
No, the First Amendment is not dead -- and neither am I.
This was affirmed as I listened to old-timers on Friday, surrounded by young, passionate reporters like myself. Before coming to Nashville I thought that I was on the verge of burning out as a reporter, that the harsh realities of newspaper economics and the daily grind had worn away the boundless enthusiasm I had for the principles enshrined in the First Amendment. I found myself lamenting what I had presumed was the slow but inevitable and painful demise of a career that had barely begun.
But the combination of the old and the new, of the storied struggles of our reporter forefathers (and mothers) and the modern hopes and fears of a younger generation, has allowed me to realize that I have not changed and my faith in the First Amendment has not wavered. I am a good reporter, and what I do does matter to my community. Journalism isn't dead; newspapers are alive and changing and the First Amendment shelters us all.
I am a good reporter. I repeat it not out of arrogance but as a simple reminder to myself. What's more, I am surrounded by other reporters who are just as or more talented than I. I must do my part and serve my community, not with mediocrity, but with the full wealth of who I am and what I have to offer.
So that is what I learned today -- something I knew but had forgotten in the lonely fog of the San Francisco Bay.
This was affirmed as I listened to old-timers on Friday, surrounded by young, passionate reporters like myself. Before coming to Nashville I thought that I was on the verge of burning out as a reporter, that the harsh realities of newspaper economics and the daily grind had worn away the boundless enthusiasm I had for the principles enshrined in the First Amendment. I found myself lamenting what I had presumed was the slow but inevitable and painful demise of a career that had barely begun.
But the combination of the old and the new, of the storied struggles of our reporter forefathers (and mothers) and the modern hopes and fears of a younger generation, has allowed me to realize that I have not changed and my faith in the First Amendment has not wavered. I am a good reporter, and what I do does matter to my community. Journalism isn't dead; newspapers are alive and changing and the First Amendment shelters us all.
I am a good reporter. I repeat it not out of arrogance but as a simple reminder to myself. What's more, I am surrounded by other reporters who are just as or more talented than I. I must do my part and serve my community, not with mediocrity, but with the full wealth of who I am and what I have to offer.
So that is what I learned today -- something I knew but had forgotten in the lonely fog of the San Francisco Bay.
Keeping stories alive
I have never heard the term "pushing a story forward" until Friday. The headlines of the day are usually quick reads and then the story disappears. Online journalism has the unique opportunity to keep these stories alive through reader commentary which shows that people want the conversation to continue. Journalists can follow up on discussions and interest by broadening the scope of the conversation by bringing new voices into the discussion and connecting to related or complementary issues.
Which medium when
Everybody loves a new toy.
However, learning how and when the toys are appropriate can maximize their use. Today, journalists are inundated with new tools that help them inform and educate readers in different and quicker ways. To be as effective a reporter as possible, we must learn when a situation calls for certain tools.
Poynter Online Interactivity Editor and Adjunct Faculty Member Ellyn Angelotti said in Friday's session that having the tools does not mean we have to use them for every story.
The knee-jerk reaction when dealing with the growing number of Web sites is to put as much out there as possible and let viewers and readers decide what to do. But this can be too much.
To use the tools effectively, a journalist must develop a sense of when to use them. This will make that journalist a more efficient distributor of news.
Unless something significant is expected to happen, video might not be the best way to cover every city council meeting. Heck, a text story might be sufficient to outline the major developments of the meeting.
At the other extreme, breaking news can lend itself to video, slideshows, audio interviews, text stories, graphics and anything else a newspaper has at its disposal.
When reporters understand when certain tools should be used and when they shouldn’t, they learn how to give a reader as much pertinent information, as quickly as possible.
However, learning how and when the toys are appropriate can maximize their use. Today, journalists are inundated with new tools that help them inform and educate readers in different and quicker ways. To be as effective a reporter as possible, we must learn when a situation calls for certain tools.
Poynter Online Interactivity Editor and Adjunct Faculty Member Ellyn Angelotti said in Friday's session that having the tools does not mean we have to use them for every story.
The knee-jerk reaction when dealing with the growing number of Web sites is to put as much out there as possible and let viewers and readers decide what to do. But this can be too much.
To use the tools effectively, a journalist must develop a sense of when to use them. This will make that journalist a more efficient distributor of news.
Unless something significant is expected to happen, video might not be the best way to cover every city council meeting. Heck, a text story might be sufficient to outline the major developments of the meeting.
At the other extreme, breaking news can lend itself to video, slideshows, audio interviews, text stories, graphics and anything else a newspaper has at its disposal.
When reporters understand when certain tools should be used and when they shouldn’t, they learn how to give a reader as much pertinent information, as quickly as possible.
Holding presidents accountable
Members of the press gave former President George W. Bush what many would call "a hard time," but he had a lot to handle.
With all his issues he faded away from the press, hardly ever giving press conferences, and I couldn't think of another U.S. president who might have had more difficulties in dealing with the media other than Lyndon B. Johnson.
We were asked which president was the first to not seek another term due to bad press. I was surprised to learn it was George Washington.
He's dubbed the "Father of our Country," for goodness’ sake, and although I knew that the claim attributed to him that he never told a lie was, in fact, a lie, I never knew of his conflicts with the journalists of his day.
That made me think that if reporters do their job right, they'll get even the most respected and respectful leaders in a tizzy. Maybe I'll be pissing off President Obama soon enough.
With all his issues he faded away from the press, hardly ever giving press conferences, and I couldn't think of another U.S. president who might have had more difficulties in dealing with the media other than Lyndon B. Johnson.
We were asked which president was the first to not seek another term due to bad press. I was surprised to learn it was George Washington.
He's dubbed the "Father of our Country," for goodness’ sake, and although I knew that the claim attributed to him that he never told a lie was, in fact, a lie, I never knew of his conflicts with the journalists of his day.
That made me think that if reporters do their job right, they'll get even the most respected and respectful leaders in a tizzy. Maybe I'll be pissing off President Obama soon enough.
Making friends with raw video
As a photographer, I like things to be pretty.
Clean backgrounds. Sharp focus. Artful composition. Everything under control.
So when I started shooting video in college, I paid attention to detail. I always used a tripod, white-balanced, manual-focused -- you name it. If a shot wasn't technically perfect, it went to the digital cutting-room floor. The editing took so long that I ended up hating what I was left with. I edited the heart and soul out of every story I shot.
So when Val Hoeppner, manager of multimedia education with the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute, started her multimedia lecture today, I was surprised to hear her extol the virtues of what I thought was the devil of all Web sites: raw video.
To me, the thought of shaky-handed interviews with fuzzy audio was just unprofessional and distracted from the subject. But when she showed the powerful videos from the Hovey Street murders series she and her staff worked on, I was blown away. They weren't technically perfect, but they were emotional and timely, which made them even more sincere.
Most impressive, though, was the confession the paper received once the suspects viewed the videos on the paper’s Web site. It was a perfect display of how technology and interactivity can breed results beyond any we can imagine.
Today taught me to not edit out the passion of the moment or withhold it because it isn't technically perfect. Capturing the moment is 100 times more important, and that sincerity beats out a tripod any day.
Clean backgrounds. Sharp focus. Artful composition. Everything under control.
So when I started shooting video in college, I paid attention to detail. I always used a tripod, white-balanced, manual-focused -- you name it. If a shot wasn't technically perfect, it went to the digital cutting-room floor. The editing took so long that I ended up hating what I was left with. I edited the heart and soul out of every story I shot.
So when Val Hoeppner, manager of multimedia education with the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute, started her multimedia lecture today, I was surprised to hear her extol the virtues of what I thought was the devil of all Web sites: raw video.
To me, the thought of shaky-handed interviews with fuzzy audio was just unprofessional and distracted from the subject. But when she showed the powerful videos from the Hovey Street murders series she and her staff worked on, I was blown away. They weren't technically perfect, but they were emotional and timely, which made them even more sincere.
Most impressive, though, was the confession the paper received once the suspects viewed the videos on the paper’s Web site. It was a perfect display of how technology and interactivity can breed results beyond any we can imagine.
Today taught me to not edit out the passion of the moment or withhold it because it isn't technically perfect. Capturing the moment is 100 times more important, and that sincerity beats out a tripod any day.
Bring on the long days!
Excitement is the first emotion that comes to mind when I think about the week ahead. Not only do I expect to make great connections with the Chip Quinn Scholars and staff members of the program, but I'm also hopeful for what many of the staff members and seasoned reporters were telling us on our first day --- a life-changing experience. Besides a great overall experience, I plan to work hard to solidify my satisfactory multimedia skills and get as much out of the training as possible. Bring on the 12- to 14-hour days. I'm up for it.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Facing the unknown
I don't know exactly what I expected from this week in Nashville with the Freedom Forum, but my soul could feel something big as I was leaving my apartment.
Yes, my sinuses were acting up and I'm in the middle of moving, but during the ride to the airport I began to feel this sort of fear. Or maybe it was just a feeling of the future about to crash down on my head.
Now that I'm here and settling in at orientation, I expect to get more out of being a Scholar than I could have ever imagined. I hope to learn how to take good photos from a photojournalistic standpoint and fine-tune my video skills. And hopefully I’ll gain a bit more confidence to push aside the unease of the impending unknown.
Yes, my sinuses were acting up and I'm in the middle of moving, but during the ride to the airport I began to feel this sort of fear. Or maybe it was just a feeling of the future about to crash down on my head.
Now that I'm here and settling in at orientation, I expect to get more out of being a Scholar than I could have ever imagined. I hope to learn how to take good photos from a photojournalistic standpoint and fine-tune my video skills. And hopefully I’ll gain a bit more confidence to push aside the unease of the impending unknown.
Creating journalism that matters
I expect to come out of the conference with a renewed sense of how to create journalism that matters, on different platforms. Multimedia journalism is so often used as a blanket term for any content on a Web site. I hope to learn how to use technology in the best way possible to tell stories of people in my community in a relevant manner that best reaches readers. I know that sounds vague, but what it boils down to is moving beyond making "pretty pictures" as a photographer and really focusing on capturing the moments that matter, and using new tools to enhance understanding of issues. Here are a couple photos from the first day:
John Quinn walking out of the John Seigenthaler Center after our opening dinner and reception.
(L-R) Javier Barrera, Marjon Rostami and Dalina Castellanos listen to Val Hoeppner's tour of the Diversity Institute.
The street outside our hotel includes a cupcake shop, a couple of bars and an amazing record store. I love Nashville!
Maximizing experience
My expectations from the Chips Quinn orientation program is to hear how to get the most of my news media experience. I'm interested to hear the speakers discuss the fundamentals of journalism and hear about some of the challenges to look out for. By learning how people consume the news and the resources that are available, I will be more prepared for what comes next.
New energy
Almost all of the journalists I am close friends with have gone through the Chips Quinn Scholars program and have encouraged me to apply. I first heard about the program during my freshman year at the Daily Texan, UT's student newspaper. Going through journalism school and various internships over four years, I kept hearing about how the CQS program changed my friends' lives. That attitude truly set the bar for the coming week, but I have no doubt that the high expectations that have been unintentionally set for me will be met.
I hope that this program will boost my enthusiasm about journalism, especially since buyouts, layoffs and now furloughs have chipped away at the morale in my newsroom.
Along with my newfound journalism energy, I expect to take back with me the multimedia skills I need to stay afloat in this economy and state of the industry.
I hope that this program will boost my enthusiasm about journalism, especially since buyouts, layoffs and now furloughs have chipped away at the morale in my newsroom.
Along with my newfound journalism energy, I expect to take back with me the multimedia skills I need to stay afloat in this economy and state of the industry.
‘Ready to learn’
I hope to enhance my knowledge of multimedia with what I learn from the classes in the next couple of days. I expect an intense but stimulating program that will make me rethink the way I gather and disseminate news. Hopefully, I will also make long-lasting and professional contacts during my stay in Nashville. As always, I am excited and ready to learn.
‘A one-of-a-kind experience’
The Chipsters mingled around the Diversity Institute of the Freedom Forum, trying out the spinach rolls with sweet mustard sauce and making small talk. The scene looked like the start to every other conference except for one detail: the new interns were not alone. Instead, members of the Diversity Institute — right up to Chips Quinn Scholars Program Co-founder John Quinn himself — mingled with the wide-eyed interns. The Diversity Institute officials talked with the interns and treated them with respect even though they just met them. As the evening progressed and the officials spoke and guided the new Chipsters around the facility, it became more and more apparent that they trusted the new Chipsters and wanted each and every one of them to experience unparalleled success. As I progress through this program, I would like to talk with these people and soak in everything these officials and reporters know. I realized on the first night that this is a one-of-a-kind experience and that I will be able to learn a great deal during this program. The facilities are top notch and the schedule is packed with information. The multimedia portion of the week will be interesting because it is something I have always wanted to know. Overall, I would simply like to take in as much of this Chips Quinn experience as possible.
Gaining skills and having fun
I expect to get a lot of things out of these next seven days. First, I look forward to forging lasting and beneficial friendships and connections and becoming part of the Chips Quinn and Freedom Forum family. One thing I'm finding as I'm embarking on my journalism career is that everyone knows each other and is friends, and it's even like a family at The Arizona Republic and Gannett. I like that and look forward to becoming part of another family. I know that I'm a young and inexperienced journalist so I also want to learn anything and everything that I can from everyone here – I want to be a sponge and soak it all up and continue to grow in my journalistic skills. Additionally, I am hoping to build on and improve my multimedia skills. I am trained in digital photography, Soundslides and video, but I want to create better and more meaningful multimedia. Finally, I just want to have fun. I understand that I will be working hard, but I also want to enjoy myself and the experience of a new city.
Rising expectations
(Chips Quinn Co-founder John C. Quinn and his ubiquitous walking stick./Photo by Bettina Hansen)Initially I expected to learn a few things about multimedia and leave Nashville a better reporter for having participated in the Chips Quinn Scholars program. However, after listening to speeches from Jack Marsh, the Freedom Forum's vice president for diversity programs, and CQS program Co-founder John Quinn, among others, my expectations have extended beyond the practical to the personal. My expectations still include improving as a reporter. But I now look forward to making good friends and being a part of a community that has a noble cause at its heart. With career coaches Mary Ann Hogan and Colleen Fitzpatrick also being a part of the program, I think my career will take off on the right track a lot sooner than expected and I expect to learn from and interact with them quite a bit.
‘Part of something greater’
My expectation for the next eight days is to become a part of something greater than I could ever imagine. After my first night here, it has already been met. I've been welcomed as a part of the Chips Quinn family. Everything else from here on out is going to be wonderful because I know I have a strong support system ready to teach me and lead me to the next chapter of my life. I don't expect anything less than what a real family would have to offer.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Welcome to the Chips Quinn Scholars Spring 2009 orientation blog. Eleven Scholars are headed to the John Seigenthaler Center in Nashville, Tenn., for three days of orientation and five days of multimedia training. This blog will include daily updates during orientation, Jan. 22-24, 2009.
Meet the new class of Chipsters.
Meet the new class of Chipsters.
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