Comments on: Learning from MSNBC.com (part 2)

By: Eric Hamilton

Eric Hamilton — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:29:43 +0000

Sean and Mindy are right–I’ve worked in journalism since 1990, and with computers nearly as long. Guess which one got me the good job? And yes, I’m expected to be at the computer all day long. I only report when the others are out of the office and I’m the last one left to help.

By: John H.

John H. — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 16:00:18 +0000

The problem is when you work for the chains that only care about profits. Then it doesn’t matter how much extra you do, web or print, they expect that and more. BTW night cops can be a good thing. It’s definitely a good way to learn to source a story. Mindy’s right, though, people like honest enthusiasm, and they can spot arrogance the instant it walks in the door.

By: Sean Blanda

Sean Blanda — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:44:29 +0000

Well said!

Hopefully I can have that effect on anyone I work with.

By: Mindy

Mindy — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:03:47 +0000

It depends on whether you come off as arrogant or not. Honest enthusiasm usually makes other people like you, not resent you. I’ve heard reports to that effect from journalists who work with a few of our graduates — their optimism and “Let’s do it!” attitude rubs off on others around them.

Maybe this dark time is no time for cynics and curmudgeons …

By: Sean Blanda

Sean Blanda — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 07:32:41 +0000

But don’t I then become the arrogant young reporter who thinks he knows every thing?

Not to whine, but these are the things that cross my mind in times like these…

By: Mindy

Mindy — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:29:59 +0000

Yeah, Sean, I hear that. I mentioned to Tom that some very talented people get stuck in a very drab copy-and-paste job, and he said that an entry-level reporter usually gets stuck with night cops -- maybe not so different. Tom said people will recognize your talent and drive, and you won't be stuck for very long. I'm not sure that's always true!

However, if you want to get out on the street and report, I think you can make that work, but you're going to have to be proactive AND persistent.

And if they don't let you do it, then go work someplace else.

By: Sean Blanda

Sean Blanda — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:16:28 +0000

Learn Flash and databases?

If I walked into a job with those skills im afraid they’d slap me behind a computer and Id never move.

–Sean

By: peter

peter — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:08:11 +0000

Two undisputed facts

-brevity works on the web

-award winning journalism means loooooooong articles.

Looking at the award winning multimedia/web journalism I would have to say that faced with the dichotomy between what works on the web and winning awards there is no contest. We trade the future for a few shiny baubles.

Want to improve newspapers future on the web – ban all awards for five years.

By: Bryan Murley

Bryan Murley — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:03:24 +0000

“There is no nostalgia for the old media,” Tom told one class. “It’s like asking for horse-and-buggy days.”

Um, that’s not what I hear. There’s actually a very great nostalgia for the old media – from students, professors, and editors – in small newspapers and even some big newspapers. Witness Paul Conley’s recent blog posts.

I don’t think it’s right, necessarily, but it’s there – to ignore it is to ignore the elephant in the room. There are still a great number of people out there who don’t “get” this disruption.

I don’t know the solution, but it’s something we can’t ignore.

By: Required reading. « Design for Publications

Required reading. « Design for Publications — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 02:45:02 +0000

[...] Mindy McAdams, with more of what we talked about on Tuesday. Please be prepared to discuss this in class. I will [...]