Comments on: How to be a journalism student

By: Paul Bradshaw

Paul Bradshaw — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:37:40 +0000

Thanks Andy – as to not having an opinion, see the comment thread for more on that. I wouldn’t suggest it as a hard and fast rule – perhaps a better phrasing would be to avoid having an opinion which is ill informed. Do your research.

By: andy

andy — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:24:32 +0000

I’n not a journalism student, nor is that my aim-however, I feel every area that was mentioned is crucial to a well rounded student. I came upon this blog for advice on how to start blogging and though this is not the intent it has been truly helpful. I do not know what my main interest for blogging will be yet, but more so than ever was it great advice to ‘not’ have an opinion. If you have any advice for me please let me know, i need to start somewhere, then i feel I will be halfway there!

By: Kaskado - Hermione Way: How I Fast-Tracked A Media Career And You Can Too

Kaskado - Hermione Way: How I Fast-Tracked A Media Career And You Can Too — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:20:21 +0000

[...] Some other useful resources for young people interested in journalism careers: Natalie Adcock A media student’s guide to starting social media Paul Bradshaw How to be a journalism student [...]

By: tangywuan123

tangywuan123 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:19:56 +0000

I think these are some very helpful tips. Number 2 is a very important one. No matter how strongly you feel about a topic it’s important to make sure that you don’t include any bias in your reporting. This can damage your reputation and make you less credible. Only report the facts. I’ve struggled with this at times when I’ve covered stories dealing with a topic that I’m completely opposed to. But I suck it up and make sure that the story gets out without any biases in it — that’s what a good journalist needs to learn to do.

By: Emilie

Emilie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:16:04 +0000

Hi,
I’m a french journalist student, and I’m now studying in Canada. I’d like to insist on the importance of reading books. I cannot agree with the statement “What’s in those books can be found online, on the radio or on TV.”. No, no, no.
I come from a school where I study a lot of subjects, such as law, economy, politics, history, social sciences … And I think THIS is the best material to become a journalist. How can you write about the Iraqi war without knowing the subject ? And to know a subject perfectly, we have to read books, newspapers and on-line website are not enough. Because a book is written by a specialist, by a person who spent a lot of time doing research. And as journalist, we have to be informed about every kind of subjects, and how can we do that ?
By reading books.
PS : i’m sorry if I did mistakes, english is not my mother tongue

By: Toppen av dumhet? Hils på vaktbikkjevalpen. « Journalistspirens veksthus

Toppen av dumhet? Hils på vaktbikkjevalpen. « Journalistspirens veksthus — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:04:44 +0000

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By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:52:11 +0000

Kelly, don’t take it personally. In all honesty, most underprivileged families don’t communicate very well and most don’t attend college. But it is a new day. She didn’t call you out by name.

Congrats on your honors degree. You have proven to be an individual. However, most people from underprivilege families tend to live within the restrictions of their economic class. I can understand her point. But you also don’t know where she comes from.

As a person already in the industry, any news organization forcing you to use anonymous sources is not credible. There is freedom in the industry. I have been in news reporting for 15 years and have never used or been forced to use an anonymous source. Anonymous sources are similar to the those campaign ads paid for my someone else because they want to cover up the real company’s or the real political party’s name. Anonymous sources are pretty much useless because it becomes a libel suit when the stuff hits the fan. I’ve seen other journalists get into serious trouble over anonymous sources. Perfect example, when an anonymous source produced documentation of Bush never actually reporting for military duty. As I recall a heavy hitter in the news industry was fired for that. It became a conflict of he said/she said and it was reputable journalists who lost that battle.

You may want to consider the news organization you are willing to work for. Are you wanting to be credible and professional or are you wanting to be a puppet for a conglomerate that will tell the public what news is?

Good Luck to both of you ladies in your endeavors.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:52:46 +0000

Underprivileged family? I’m from a so-called underprivileged family and i’ve just recieved a first class honours degree in journalism. Social background has nothing to do with it, it is up to the person and whether they are passionate about journalism, and the person you speak of obviously isn’t. Also, if and when you break into the industry you will find that you won’t have the freedom you have on your course, and you will have to use anonymous sources to get a story otherwise you will lose your job. You need to open your eyes a little.

By: Erica Myers

Erica Myers — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:13:06 +0000

Actually, with the way students are these days, this list should be imprinted on every wall. I am on my last semester as a journalism student. I have seen it all from my fellow classmates: Articles written in Texting lingo; one paragraph of actual fact, the rest is opinion; a slew of anonymous sources; misspellings of company names.

I believe a lot of students have lost their interactivity abilities due to technology. While it’s perfectly fine to email, I’ve seen student not know how to vocally interview someone and properly thank them for their time. While out with a video camera, I recorded one of my classmates walk up to a person, and say, “Hey, imma ask you some questions. alright, whatCHU think about the earth heating up? Alright, I’m done with you. Bye.” At first my mind is screaming, but then I’m was thinking she could have come from an underprivileged family. But she answered my question, “I wish I could do this on Facebook or something. Just type up a question in my status and let all my friends answer.”

As for anonymous sources, unless they are police informants, I do not deal with anyone that will not be credited or held accountable for what they say. I’ve seen oodles of reports with a gazillion anonymous sources. Anonymous sources costs you credibility. I will not believe an article or journalist that have 2 or more anonymous sources. Everything that I write from what a source says, even if doing it just for class, has to be accredited to someone. My first journalism professor always warned us against using anonymous sources.

Objectivity isn’t necessarily dead. You can still have two sides to a story. If every story was just one sided, we wouldn’t have the justice system or debates.

My journalism is an oath. The way I think of journalism is: Journalism is the Fourth Branch of the Government. It checks and balances the checkers and balancers. It is an information source for the public to individually make their own decisions. The Freedom of Information Act makes it possible for journalists to provide with their best ability any and all information for the usage of the American public.

By: Top Ten 10 tips for Communication Students « Breanna Gaddie | Photojournalist

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:37:57 +0000

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