posted
Can you guys educate me about the world of journalism and its quirks and personalities? What are the sterotypes? What are the harsh realities? Who gets hurt? Who gets rich? Why do people go into journalism as a trade? What are they expecting? What do they actually get? Why do they stay in it? Who was the most memorable person you ever met in the business? Why do you remember them so clearly?
And so on...
Thanks once again, in advance. As always, if there is some way I can help you in return, I am willing. Clueless, but willing.
posted
I can answer from the perspective of a person who has a best friend in the newspaper business. He's been at it for two decades now and is editor-in-chief of several papers in the Boston area. Here are some answers based on his experience:
Can you guys educate me about the world of journalism and its quirks and personalities?
Almost everyone is quirky. No kidding. Reporters are an especially odd lot. They also tend to drop in and out of the profession.
What are the sterotypes? Journalists are eager beavers, racing off to pursue hot leads by day and investigate like private eyes to get a good story. They are highly respected for their dedication and hard work.
What are the harsh realities? Journalists are treated like dirt. They get sent out on stories, only sometimes finding their own leads. They spend most of the time writing and rewriting. Oh, and the hours stink on ice.
Who gets hurt? Mostly, their families, who don't get to see them much due to odd hours, especially during the first several years of a journalism career when they have to work odd shifts like nights and weekends.
Who gets rich? No one. Well, maybe the owners of the newspapers, but not the writers, editors, or editors-in-chief. You'd make more money working at the local bookstore than most journalists make. My friend is in charge of multiple publications, and still earns half of what I made at my last consulting job.
Why do people go into journalism as a trade? There seems to be two types: ones who really have a passion for journalism and news and others who can't figure out what else to do with their writing that will earn them a living. Most of the latter eventually quit when they realize they still can't earn much.
What are they expecting? The first group mentioned above expect to master their writing craft and gain the respect of their journalistic peers. The latter think they'll get rich and famous.
What do they actually get? At best, the first group make names for themselves with major newspapers. The latter, as mentioned previously, become bitter and quit.
Why do they stay in it? Some because they don't want to do anything else...it's a love/hate relationship. Others because they really can't do anything else.
Who was the most memorable person you ever met in the business? Why do you remember them so clearly? That'd be my buddy. He's devoted his entire life to journalism and being the best he possibly can, despite lousy hours, little support, and low wages. He is truly talented as a writer and an editor and loves journalism with a passion. His devotion impresses me because there is so little tangible reward.
I hope that helps. I'm sure others actually involved in journalism may have differing feedback, and can add to my list.
quote:Why do people go into journalism as a trade? There seems to be two types: ones who really have a passion for journalism and news and others who can't figure out what else to do with their writing that will earn them a living.
I would venture to say there are a few more types loose in the journalism world.
There are those seeking to influence public opinion or their own personal agendas.
There are those who wish to "change the world" (which sort of goes along with the previous statement and the whole rich and famous thing).
There are some, such as investigative reporters, who have some inherent need or obligation to discover the truth of an event, story, whatever.
Some wish to "crossover" into more lucrative markets, such as broadcast TV, and are hoping to use newspaper journalism as a stepping stone to that end.
For some, it may be an ego-driven thing to see one's name in print (not necessarily to be rich or famous, that's a separate but related thing).
Maybe it's the dream of winning a Pulitzer (I think that's the award, I don't really know), or whatever award you get for breaking an exceptional news story.
Some do it because one of their parents did it and they followed in their footsteps, or they were "gently" prodded to do so while growing up. (The same reason many people join the military.)
And there are some who are just born to do it, and if they didn't they would die.
Really, I guess you could narrow all of these down into Hildy's two types, but that just doesn't seem fair to me.
posted
Nope, not my two types, HSO. The two types of my friend with 20 years experience who runs several major newspapers. Actually I tend to agree with you that there are many, many more (there has to be!) but that's just been the experience of one, very experienced man. I'm certain your mileage may vary at other papers and in other states.
Posts: 338 | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Connie Willis (multi-award-winning SF/F author) says that if you are a writer, everything is your business. You can ask any question and satisfy your curiosity all the time if you are a writer. All you have to do when someone wants to know why you think you can ask such questions is tell them you're a writer.
Most regular writers don't realize this, but journalists do.
I suspect that many writers who become journalists have that insatiable curiosity and have figured that journalism is the way to go.
Since everything in the world or out of it is "grist for the mill" of writing, you don't have to be a journalist to be able to ask whatever you want to ask, but having a press badge/card may help in some situations.
posted
I think that HSO has a point about a lot of the motives boiling down to a desire to publish the "truth".
Those that just want to publish, or make a living, or find stuff out, eventually give up on being journalists. It is only those that want to have their work published as "truth" that can remain motivated to stay in the business. If you became a journalist for almost any other reason (sane or not), eventually you would realize that there are better ways of accomplishing your purpose unless your central goal is to publish widely read non-fiction.
Of course, everyone's an individual. And in a field like journalism, where to keep going you need a specific character trait shared by everyone else in the business, it is important to be just a little more individual. To remain motivated to stay in journalism, you must have a need to be believed. To succeed in journalism, you must stand out from the crowd.
Is it fair that the central characteristic that determines whether you have what it takes to be a journalist is the desire to publish and have most people regard your work as "truth"? Eh, I don't know. Probably not.
Facts aren't always fair.
Anyway, to answer Mike's second question a bit more precisely, many reporters choose to stand out as "adventurer" types. It's a good way of creating a positive image that meshes well with the idea of someone aggressively seeking to bring the truth to light. It is just as valid as the "studious investigator" or "pretty reporter" types. Not all reporters choose to be adventurous types, but they do exist.
quote:Can you guys educate me about the world of journalism and its quirks and personalities?
There are a wide variety of people in this field. For a really good look at the newspaper industry, watch the movie The Paper directed by Ron Howard
quote:What are the sterotypes?
Thrill seekers, bottom-feeders willing to do anything for a scoop, drunks...
quote:What are the harsh realities?
A lot is expected, little is given in return.
My first job as a reporter paid $750 bi-weekly with $100 gas allowance. The second paid $1000 per month with $200 gas allowance.
I had to write between 5 and 10 stories each week. Go to photo things including several G&G's (grip and grins: cheque donations where they shake hands and smile. ooooh, exciting )
Normal work hours during the day 9-5ish (expect on production day when you have to be willing to tackle new news and put the paper together. These days start at 7:30 and ended between 2 and 7. If it was a town council week, I went to the meeting after most of the paper was finished (6-ish), came back to the office when it was over (10 or 11-ish) wrote up two or three stories and notes (about 1000 words in all), and finally got home about 1 a.m. The next morning I'd be back at work for 9 (unless I managed to have the day off).
quote:Who gets hurt?
Families, the reporters. Relationships are hard to have.
quote:Who gets rich?
Owners, Publishers.
quote:Why do people go into journalism as a trade?What are they expecting?What do they actually get?
I went into journalism because I thought, "Hey, someone is going to pay me to write day in and day out! Cool "
The reality is I found I liked doing the page layout and design and photography almost more than the reporting. Writing became a bit painful and mundane (you can only write so many lede, bridge, quote and inverted pyramids before it gets boring and repetative).
quote:Why do they stay in it?
Adrenaline. If I were to ever go back to jouranlism that would be the reason.
Climbing 80-foot fire-watch towers, getting published in a daily, writing a story that other news agencies jump on and have to get caught-up on
Free stuff. I love reviewing plays and taking pics at concerts.
quote:Who was the most memorable person you ever met in the business? Why do you remember them so clearly?
I think one of my favourite interviews was with the woman in the fire tower. She truly loved her job and she talked about things with such passion. I loved climbing up the 80-foot tall tower, it was harder than I anticipated. Heights weren't an issue, but it wasn't easy climbing straight up. Climbing down I must have pulled some obscure muscle because I could barely walk or stand upright for three days.
Posts: 1473 | Registered: Jul 2004
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