Newspaper writing is one of the essential foundations of any journalism degree. Whether you end up doing traditional newspapers like The New York Times or The Washington Post, or you decide to go digital with the likes of The Huffington Post or The Verge, the basics of writing for the newswire remain the same.
Students should learn to be comprehensive in their writing. To quote the legendary New York Times editor A. M. Rosenthal, “a reporter is only as good as his sources. But a source is only as good as his relationship with the reporter”.
When you’re a journalist, your sources are your reports. Your story could be about the presidential election, or gun control, or the American healthcare system. Your sources are the experts whose opinions you want to report on. Maybe you’ll even quote somebody in your article – it depends on the size of your newsroom and the style of your publication.
Being familiar with the different forms of print journalism and the history of the craft is important. To quote the legendary New York Times editor A. M. Rosenthal, “a reporter is only as good as his sources. But a source is only as good as his relationship with the reporter”. Your job is to report on what your sources know and are willing to share. You don’t want to write about something just because it’s trending or because somebody famous said it. You want to be original and connect with your audience.
Let’s face it, being a journalist is a tough gig. Even in today’s digital world, where your audience is likely to be found on multiple platforms and sometimes simultaneously, you still have to manage multiple streams of content and stay on top of breaking news stories – all while trying to get the most out of your limited resources.
Why Students Should Learn Newsroom Media Management
As a student, you’ll soon discover that managing multiple sources of content and keeping track of breaking news stories is a 24/7 job. You’ll be writing for the web and managing social media accounts, pitching stories to potential employers, and coping with changing technology. Your studies toward a journalism degree will equip you with the basic skills you need to thrive in this demanding environment.
Being able to manage multiple newsrooms is key. As the name would suggest, a newsroom is where the journalistic magic happens. A good journalist is someone who can efficiently coordinate a team of reporters and editors to create compelling content for publication.
Being able to juggle multiple sources of content and reports, as well as different platforms and channels, is essential. Your studies toward a journalism degree will teach you how to be efficient and effective in gathering information, presenting it to your audience, and creating compelling content for publication. You will learn the fundamentals of journalism, including writing, editing, and researching, as well as how to present the news in a meaningful way that is both comprehensive and credible. Most importantly, you will learn how to manage a team and multiple sources of content while ensuring that ethical standards are maintained throughout the process.
Setting Up Workstations
One of the first things you’ll need to do as a new journalist is to set up your workstation. This will include getting a good computer or laptop, an editor or word processor, and the like. You will also need to consider getting a small wireless network card so you can connect to the internet as you need in order to do your job effectively. Most importantly, make sure you have a soundproof room with good air ventilation so you can concentrate on doing your job without worrying about distracting noises.
Learning The Craft
You may be accustomed to the modern convenience of the internet and the ability to research any subject instantly. This is all well and good, but you would be surprised how often a good story can be told with just a little bit of knowledge and a lot of craft. Learning how to research and gather information efficiently is as important, if not more so, than having access to endless amounts of information at your fingertips. The more you know about your topic, the more you can write about it with confidence.
Being thorough is also important. As a journalist, you’ll be researching and writing about a variety of topics. Make sure you know all the angles of a story before you begin. Never be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification. When you’re confident you know all there is to know about your topic, the next step is to craft a story outline. This is a simple but effective technique that allows you to quickly identify the main points you need to include in your piece without wasting a lot of time on unnecessary details.
Learn The History
A good journalist should always be aware of their historicity. Many news stories can be traced back to their original sources. It is not only good journalistic practice but also good history training to be able to do this. Learning how to research and cite your sources correctly is critical for your success as a journalist. If you are not sure where to begin, then look for a reputable history or economics textbook for the foundations of your knowledge.
Learn English Language
Being able to write comprehensively is one of the most important qualities a journalist can have. Even for native English-speakers, good English is difficult to learn. The sooner you get started, the better. Your ability to write quickly and accurately will get you much further in your career than any degree or fancy education.
Ethical Standards
Journalists are expected to maintain high ethical standards at all times. While much of your daily routine as a journalist will be focused on gathering and presenting newsworthy information, your studies will equip you with the skills necessary to act ethically and responsibly at all times. Most importantly, make sure you always put your audience’s interest first. In an increasingly digital world, where an audience can easily become a customer or source of revenue, making educated editorial decisions and presenting the whole story rather than just the most appealing parts is an essential skill.
As a student, it’s important to set yourself goals. Decide now what you want to achieve upon graduation. Are you looking for a full-time job? A part-time job? Are you interested in pursuing a freelance career? Consider how you want to progress in the coming year. Setting clear goals, and regularly evaluating your progress, will help you determine how effective your studies are in helping you achieve your desired future. You could also decide to study a different subject or pick up a new hobby.