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Do Journalists Need To Be Entrepreneurs Or Just Really Good At Building Sources?

This year and last, the Knight Foundation has brought up the idea of using the “teaching hospital” model in j-schools to properly prepare journalists. Last year, an“Open Letter to American University Presidents” called for a “teaching hospital” style curriculum. This year, a study is out questioning whether this teaching style really is the right move for j-schools.

In the past I asked journalists what’s lacking in training for TV news, then summarized those ideas. Now this new study says J-schools need to encourage newbie journalists to take an “entrepreneurial approach” even while earning a degree. In other words, they want part of the curriculum to center on creating new ways to deliver the news in addition to learning how to present the news. Professors would be encouraged to also think up and test out new ideas.

I see the point. I get where the researchers are going. But I want to ask this: If you do not even know how to draw, can you then make something look 2 or 3d? The biggest criticism today, is TV news lacks depth. Journalists skip steps or do not know to take steps to ensure information is accurate. There are few checks and balances. This happens when people are overwhelmed. Lack of training and understanding, or knowledge of the existence of station policies, can cause embarrassing gaffs. Now with increased pressure to get something on TV and break stories on social media, this lack of training and organization is really being exposed. This is a dirty secret most veteran journalists have been painfully aware of for decades.

The medium really is secondary. The core issue hurting TV news and journalism in general is this: Too few entities demand source building and proper fact checking. Many journalists will admit they do not know how to source build. No clue where to even start. This is one of the most requested article topics I receive. How do you source build? I cannot take people to lunch, so will I ever be able to develop sources? Is it bad that my sources are all PIO’s?

So I am going to go out on a limb and saying that this whole idea of encouraging creativity and entrepreneurs in J-school is missing the point. The biggest problem with J-schools today, is very few employ journalists who have actually worked in a newsroom in recent times. Most schools demand masters and Ph.D.’s but do not emphasize real world experience.

J-schools may seem irrelevant, or out of touch or needing an overhaul because of this simple issue. Hence the push for a teaching hospital style of program and entrepreneurial approaches.

J-schools can provide opportunities to step out of the box and create new ways to tell stories, utilize social media and even redefine the role of TV news in society. BUT the ideas will not truly be relevant until they can clearly prove that the implementation will increase accuracy in reporting. Let’s stop skirting the issue, and admit to the problem in clear terms. Journalists are entering the work force, with few clues on how to research and make sure they are accurately disseminating information. As a result, they stick to what the news release and PIO say, and do not question. It is the safe route. It allows you to churn and burn 2 or 3 packages a day. Teaching hospital or entrepreneurial push? Neither approach really matters if the basic foundation is not there. Teach how to gather information, source build and fact check. Get extremely detailed about it. Then TV journalists as a whole can move forward. Stations can stop becoming a testing ground. Most importantly, we can stop debating the whole “How do we teach journalism to stay relevant?” debate. Facts are always going to be relevant. Teach how to find them and get them right!

Required to Tweet? What to discuss.

For many journalists, Tweeting and posting on Facebook is now a mandatory part of their job. In fact a news director in Atlanta recently told the Press Club there that “any journalist who doesn’t do social media isn’t worth their salt.” The pressure is certainly on and journalists are certainly feeling it. I have received several emails asking, “What should I talk about?”

So let’s address that question. What do you talk about? We have published a few articles on what not to do, and what to look out for, (see You Tweet, I Can’t Believe He Posted, and Wanted a New Job) so it’s time to focus on what is acceptable.

Here are some basic things to start tweeting and posting:

Interesting tidbits about your day
Your hobby
Relevant extras about your story
Confirmed information that impacts audience

First let’s get this very important question answered. Many journalists ask, “Should I offer any personal information?” The answer is: Some. But keep it the type of information you don’t mind your boss, mother and minister or rabbi reading about. The first two bullet points about what you should tweet and post address appropriate personal topics.

When I say tweet interesting tidbits about your day, I mean little moments. Maybe someone said something thoughtful to you. Maybe you read a fascinating article that really got you thinking. Say it, or rather, tweet or post it. Maybe a long lost friend posted a fun comment on your wall. Mention that you loved hearing from that friend. Show images about your day as well. Show a shot of the full coffee cup you are about to drink. Mention the new recipe for a breakfast burrito. These simple things create real connections with other people. You do not have to spill your guts, to form a bond. Sharing simple moments are better.

Which leads to another great discussion point, your hobby. One of my favorite journalists I follow is a ballroom dancer who loves the performing arts. I enjoy the tidbits, that she is heading to a competition, or enjoyed a performance. It takes me out of my day-to-day routine and teaches me something new. I also enjoy a twitter account that mentions “This Day in History” type of information. The trivia is interesting. A former boss of mine is an avid motorcyclist. I enjoy seeing pics of his newest Harley and reading about his latest ride. Again, simple human connections. If you love to cook or watch movies or have a favorite TV show, you will make “personal” connections with fans on social media. Just keep the sports comments clean.

So, now how do you appropriately mention your work? Just teasing or putting up a link to your latest story or newscast is not enough. Try and provide some relevant extras. A journalist recently covered a mission event where people came from all over to see doctors and dentists. He simply showed images of people waiting, and talked about how the images touched him. For example, he said one man seemed to look into his soul. He said he had to snap a shot of a baby girl because the bow on her head was so cute. I have seen journalists snap behind the scenes images of doing interviews, breaking down the cables from live shots, and showing their muddy shoes. I have seen journalists mention that a story gripped them in some way. That he/she learned an interesting new fact today. Some mention what they hope to follow up the next day on a story. The list goes on and on. Take the viewer into the story, with a paragraph, a photograph or a statement in 140 characters.

Finally, if you have confirmed information about a breaking or developing news event, put it on your twitter stream or post it to Facebook. Show that you are working the story. Just put up confirmed information. And if you are lucky enough to have a station policy guide, adhere to it.

The most important thing to consider, when determining what to Tweet or post is that you want to create connections with your followers. So you do want some variety. Use common sense, stick to topics that have mass appeal and remember, your minister or rabbi is likely reading what you write, as well as the boss and your viewers. Be true to who you are as a journalist, and a person.

When Job Hunting Tactics Go Horribly Wrong. Strange But True Stories.

Sometimes, the best way to describe how to do something, is to show the opposite. Here are some examples of ways, real, aspiring journalists have really shot themselves in the proverbial foot when job hunting. We are poking some fun, but please know it is to help prevent more of these scenarios.

One ND I worked for describes getting a pizza box from a young reporter wanting a gig. Inside the box was a tape, resume and cover letter saying the reporter knew how to “deliver” on a story. The trouble was, the call letters for the station were wrong on the letter and the reporter misspelled the manager’s name. This ND’s quote, “so much for delivery.”

Many ND’s and AND’s love to share stories about the “idiots” who get their names wrong. I mean, they get the names VERY wrong, then are put off and send fiery emails when the ND doesn’t give them an interview.

Speaking of fiery responses, I once had an anchor candidate call and bless me out (I was an EP) because my station never called to interview him. One of my producers told me about him and I agreed only to hand the ND the anchor’s information. This anchor then thought he had an “in” with me and kept calling asking for status updates. When he read that we hired someone else, he called and told me what a crap station we were and that we all sucked. Yes, I still remember. And, no, I will never help you again.

Then there’s the reporter who sent a manager I know a resume and reel and actually put checkboxes at the end of the email, so the manager could check if he was interested or not, right then and there. His question, why wasn’t there a “could have been, had you not done this” option?

My last interesting scenario, a reporter who sent a long email explaining why a station’s decision not to hire them was a horrible mistake. This was like a manifesto. You would be surprised how many managers get emails like this, where the person has to justify to you that you are messed up, that the person knows he/she is wonderful at their profession. Just remember email, like the internet, never truly disappears.

Oh and keep in mind, if you cannot get a manager’s name and the station’s call letters right, you will not get a call back, no matter how “brilliant” you are. Strange, but true!

Want respect? Pronounce things correctly.

If you work in a community that you love, and are proud to serve the area, do your station a favor, write a list of pronouncers for the region you cover to hand to every new employee that walks in the door.

Many journalists come in to a new community and are cavalier about making sure they can pronounce the names of communities and public figures. I have even heard some say “well I won’t be here that long.” If you want to be taken seriously as a journalist, you have to speak the language of your community. Mispronunciations should be taken as seriously as any other fact error. Do not assume viewers will say, “he didn’t mean it, he just moved here.”

I don’t care where you are working, most of the people living there and watching the news are glad they live in that community. They want you to respect them and where they live. If you are a journalist lucky enough to live in the town you love, take the time to write this list down. Hand it out to the new members of your team. Maybe it will save embarrassment and keep them from making foolish mistakes.

If you are moving to a new area, take the veteran journalist in the newsroom out for a meal or drink. Tell him/her you want to fully invest in the place where you have chosen to live and work, and you would love all the information on the area that he/she is willing to share. You will earn respect in the newsroom and the community, for the intense desire to get it right the first time.