I interviewed a Professional Journalist by the name of David Smith. Smith graduated in May ’08 with a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. After graduating he moved to Florida and took a job as a morning Producer with WBBH, a NBC affiliate in Fort Myers, Florida and has been working there for nearly two years.
Smith had pretty traditional views on journalism, but does use some fluff in his newcasts. He defines good journalism as, “Telling viewers what they need to know, as far as government or crime stories, what they want to know as far as sports and entertainment . . . and not over-hyping anything or feeding them worthless information.” In class the other day we discussed the relevancy of information, Smith obviously has a sound understanding if he feels like the viewer can be fed information without including “worthless information.” Smith says, “My newscasts are pretty straightforward and mostly have a serious tone to them. I think there are place for fun stories, but I keep them to a minimum.” Its easy to imagine Smith’s newscasts following the X-format as he emphasizes government and crime, but still believes fun stories have their place in the format.
Smith enjoys being involved and believes he does serve the community. When asked if he had a moment in which he felt like he made a difference, Smtih said he pretty much felt like that on a daily basis. Smith brought up a recent story about the clinics that are officering swine flu vaccinations in his area. “Its not like I’m really out there giving people the shots, but I do feel responsible for some people knowing about the clinic.” Smith believes his newscast is tailored towards the citizens, its not citizen journalism, but its for the people. “We do a lot of “METV” stories, stories that really give people information they can use.” Smith strongly believes in journalism as a public service and an opportunity to inform people if they choose to participate in the public process.
Smith says the life of a Producer isn’t glamorous, but fulfilling as a life style. “Between managers deadliens, low pay, tough schedules, most jobs are not “dream jobs.” But if you like the basics of informing a community, its worth it to stick it out, wak up at 3 am and go in for another day of spreading knowledge.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Complete Interview Transcript
Interview with David Smith of WBBH in Florida.
>> 1. Why did you go into journalism?
I really enjoy learning about whats going on in the world, and then telling people about it in a way that they can understand.
>> 2. How did your break in the field?
It started in college when I worked for the University of Missouri's TV station, which is an NBC affiliate. That gave me the experience I needed to apply for good jobs. After college I contacted a Missouri graduate at an NBC station in Fort Myers, Florida, where my parents live. The station didn't have an immediate opening, but they decided to hire me as an associate producer until something opened up...which it did a few months down the road.
>> 3. How do you define “good” journalism?
To me it comes down to telling the viewers what they need to know, as far as government or crime stories, what they want to know, as far as sports and entertainment...and not over-hyping anything or feeding them worthless information.
>> 4. Do you feel like your news organization practices “good” journalism?
Yes, I very rarely disagree with our coverage decisions.
>> 5. How would you define the type of journalism you do?
My newscasts are pretty straightforward...and mostly have a serious tone to them. I think there are places for fun stories...but I keep them to a minimum. Mostly I strive for giving people interesting stories and information that can help them in their lives.
>> 6. Does your organization allow you to do the type of journalism you want to do?
Yes, most of the time. And if my managers ever tell me to change something in my newscast, we discuss it and most of the time they have a valid point.
>> 7. How does the journalism you practice serve your community?
We do a lot of "METV" stories...stories that can really give people the information they can use. For example, crews working on I-75 closed lanes in several different spots overnight...we ran a story at 6 and at 11pm telling drivers about the delays. We also do stories about crime, which can help people know what to look out for...as well as local government stories that can help people get informed if they choose to participate.
>> 8. What is your opinion about recent movements such as community, citizen, civic, and public journalism?
I'm all for it. I think there's room for a lot of different information from a lot of different sources. If the news consumer is smart, he or she will be able to pick out the useful and credible information and dismiss anything else. As an aside...once the big story breaks, people are going to turn to the traditional outlets to get trusted reporting...so I don't think the big guys have anything to be worried about.
>> 9. Have you ever had an experience in which you felt your work as a journalist really made a difference?
Not a specific moment...but I pretty much have a feeling like that on a day to day basis. For example, doing a story about upcoming swine flu vaccination clinics probably will help people get the help they need...but because I do those kinds of stories every day...I don't really think too much about them really making a difference. Its not like I'm really out there giving people the shots, but I do feel responsible for some people knowing about the clinic, so I guess that's a good thing.
>> 10. How have your views about journalism changed over the years?
They haven't changed too much. I have been a news junkie for as long as I can remember, and the way things are now at work are pretty much the way I always thought they'd be. I know more about the business now, but I don't think my views have really changed much.
>> 11. Have you been affected by dropping circulations, ratings, layoffs, and growth of citizen journalism?
I don't think so. Not necessarily. Our ratings are good...and I think in our area, there are a lot of people who turn to us for news. Our problem at our station now is the lack of advertising revenue. Southwest Florida is a very boom-or-bust area (just google foreclosure crisis and Fort Myers). When the real estate market was booming, everyone was making money...now there's no real money-making companies to advertise on our station. We've had to lay off some people, but for the most part, I think we're on level ground now.
>> 12. What advice would you give students wanting to go into journalism?
I would say its not always easy. Between managers, deadlines, low pay, tough schedules, etc..., most jobs in journalism are not "dream jobs." But, if you like the basics, of informing a community, its worth it to stick it out, wake up at 3am and go in for another day of spreading knowledge.
>> 1. Why did you go into journalism?
I really enjoy learning about whats going on in the world, and then telling people about it in a way that they can understand.
>> 2. How did your break in the field?
It started in college when I worked for the University of Missouri's TV station, which is an NBC affiliate. That gave me the experience I needed to apply for good jobs. After college I contacted a Missouri graduate at an NBC station in Fort Myers, Florida, where my parents live. The station didn't have an immediate opening, but they decided to hire me as an associate producer until something opened up...which it did a few months down the road.
>> 3. How do you define “good” journalism?
To me it comes down to telling the viewers what they need to know, as far as government or crime stories, what they want to know, as far as sports and entertainment...and not over-hyping anything or feeding them worthless information.
>> 4. Do you feel like your news organization practices “good” journalism?
Yes, I very rarely disagree with our coverage decisions.
>> 5. How would you define the type of journalism you do?
My newscasts are pretty straightforward...and mostly have a serious tone to them. I think there are places for fun stories...but I keep them to a minimum. Mostly I strive for giving people interesting stories and information that can help them in their lives.
>> 6. Does your organization allow you to do the type of journalism you want to do?
Yes, most of the time. And if my managers ever tell me to change something in my newscast, we discuss it and most of the time they have a valid point.
>> 7. How does the journalism you practice serve your community?
We do a lot of "METV" stories...stories that can really give people the information they can use. For example, crews working on I-75 closed lanes in several different spots overnight...we ran a story at 6 and at 11pm telling drivers about the delays. We also do stories about crime, which can help people know what to look out for...as well as local government stories that can help people get informed if they choose to participate.
>> 8. What is your opinion about recent movements such as community, citizen, civic, and public journalism?
I'm all for it. I think there's room for a lot of different information from a lot of different sources. If the news consumer is smart, he or she will be able to pick out the useful and credible information and dismiss anything else. As an aside...once the big story breaks, people are going to turn to the traditional outlets to get trusted reporting...so I don't think the big guys have anything to be worried about.
>> 9. Have you ever had an experience in which you felt your work as a journalist really made a difference?
Not a specific moment...but I pretty much have a feeling like that on a day to day basis. For example, doing a story about upcoming swine flu vaccination clinics probably will help people get the help they need...but because I do those kinds of stories every day...I don't really think too much about them really making a difference. Its not like I'm really out there giving people the shots, but I do feel responsible for some people knowing about the clinic, so I guess that's a good thing.
>> 10. How have your views about journalism changed over the years?
They haven't changed too much. I have been a news junkie for as long as I can remember, and the way things are now at work are pretty much the way I always thought they'd be. I know more about the business now, but I don't think my views have really changed much.
>> 11. Have you been affected by dropping circulations, ratings, layoffs, and growth of citizen journalism?
I don't think so. Not necessarily. Our ratings are good...and I think in our area, there are a lot of people who turn to us for news. Our problem at our station now is the lack of advertising revenue. Southwest Florida is a very boom-or-bust area (just google foreclosure crisis and Fort Myers). When the real estate market was booming, everyone was making money...now there's no real money-making companies to advertise on our station. We've had to lay off some people, but for the most part, I think we're on level ground now.
>> 12. What advice would you give students wanting to go into journalism?
I would say its not always easy. Between managers, deadlines, low pay, tough schedules, etc..., most jobs in journalism are not "dream jobs." But, if you like the basics, of informing a community, its worth it to stick it out, wake up at 3am and go in for another day of spreading knowledge.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
I'm all about the first Amendment
This whole Fox News thing is like a scene from the 1780’s. How can the White House really openly criticize a legitimate news outlet? In what way is that going to alleviate tension? It’s almost as if the White House is forgetting that it needs the media to push it’s agenda on the public in the first place. At this point it almost seems as if the White House should take a page out of George Steinbrenner’s book and just start their own television network. Then they could cut out the conservative pundits that are always close-mindedly unfairly attacking their policies and directly indoctrinate the public.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not really on either team here. I’ve never taken one of those “political compass” quizzes on facebook, but I’m pretty sure I’m more liberal than Fox News and less liberal than Obama. In Provo people think its cool to compare Obama to Hitler and Stalin for some reason so I feel tame in comparing him to Chavez, because really, trying to quit the media is a really naughty thing to do. What would I like to see the administration do? Apologize, and just accept that you can’t please everyone.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not really on either team here. I’ve never taken one of those “political compass” quizzes on facebook, but I’m pretty sure I’m more liberal than Fox News and less liberal than Obama. In Provo people think its cool to compare Obama to Hitler and Stalin for some reason so I feel tame in comparing him to Chavez, because really, trying to quit the media is a really naughty thing to do. What would I like to see the administration do? Apologize, and just accept that you can’t please everyone.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Balloon Boy, Defony style
There is a division amongst the members of society. That division is not between black and white or mutant and human, but between those who use twitter and those who do not. This has never been clearer to me than in the aftermath of the events surrounding balloon boy. This is my story
I was actually in my new media class watching live on the internet as the balloon flew over the river and through the woods of Colorado. The MSNBC feed was actually 6 seconds faster than the CNN feed, but I don’t understand all the symbolism inherent in that. I watched as the police officers approached the vessel, War of the Worlds style, only to find no child at all. I then watched as tens of thousands of people tweeted about the incident. Seven of the top ten trending topics were about the story, I followed #saveballoonboy as comments ranged from the wife swap discovery to disgust that we as a country would care about this in a time of war and health care drama.
Then class ended and I went to work. I brought up balloon boy at a down moment during work and nobody knew what I was talking about. Eight hours later I went home and asked my roommate what he knew and he said he didn’t know the story, just the resolution.
The point of my story is to illustrate that twitter isn’t a real thing yet. Twitter is for journalism nerds and people who want to appear trendy. Normal people don’t tweet. My dad will never get home from work, put his feet up and check his twitter account. I’ve tried various times to explain the glory of love and the glory of twitter to my roommates, but they just don’t understand. I think twitter is cool and a transcending idea, that separates the tweets from the tweetnots, but for now twitter just isn’t in the popular stage.
I was actually in my new media class watching live on the internet as the balloon flew over the river and through the woods of Colorado. The MSNBC feed was actually 6 seconds faster than the CNN feed, but I don’t understand all the symbolism inherent in that. I watched as the police officers approached the vessel, War of the Worlds style, only to find no child at all. I then watched as tens of thousands of people tweeted about the incident. Seven of the top ten trending topics were about the story, I followed #saveballoonboy as comments ranged from the wife swap discovery to disgust that we as a country would care about this in a time of war and health care drama.
Then class ended and I went to work. I brought up balloon boy at a down moment during work and nobody knew what I was talking about. Eight hours later I went home and asked my roommate what he knew and he said he didn’t know the story, just the resolution.
The point of my story is to illustrate that twitter isn’t a real thing yet. Twitter is for journalism nerds and people who want to appear trendy. Normal people don’t tweet. My dad will never get home from work, put his feet up and check his twitter account. I’ve tried various times to explain the glory of love and the glory of twitter to my roommates, but they just don’t understand. I think twitter is cool and a transcending idea, that separates the tweets from the tweetnots, but for now twitter just isn’t in the popular stage.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
I get my news from facebook
I get my news from facebook. I wish I didn’t. I wish I watched CNN and checked ksl.com, but I don’t have time. I do have time to see the latest pictures from the last ward activity and to check if that girl in my finance class is single. And it just so happens that in checking the “essential” things in my life I come across news like the unfortunate happenings with American Fork High School Band or the result of the Dodger – Cardinal game.
I don’t really like my facebook news consumption habits. I like the serendipity that can be found in actually pursuing news at news outlets. Many critics believe that most of serendipity is lost as newspaper readership dies. Media consumers can’t just stumble upon news because of the layout of a bi-fold anymore. Still, when looking at a legit news site it’s easier to accidentally find information than it is if I interrupt my facebook time because of a trusted referral to read something.
I feel like facebook limits my news grasp. Anyone anywhere can post anything they want on facebook, so the filters seem to be limited. Yet, so few people do post about news that I’m restrained to the same few voices or an estimated one percent of my friends. Being male and in the 18 to 30 demographic a large portion of my friends are interested in college football, so many times my news consumption is limited to news about Missouri or BYU football. Which is ok by me, its just not going to expand my horizons and make me a more knowledgeable citizen.
I don’t really like my facebook news consumption habits. I like the serendipity that can be found in actually pursuing news at news outlets. Many critics believe that most of serendipity is lost as newspaper readership dies. Media consumers can’t just stumble upon news because of the layout of a bi-fold anymore. Still, when looking at a legit news site it’s easier to accidentally find information than it is if I interrupt my facebook time because of a trusted referral to read something.
I feel like facebook limits my news grasp. Anyone anywhere can post anything they want on facebook, so the filters seem to be limited. Yet, so few people do post about news that I’m restrained to the same few voices or an estimated one percent of my friends. Being male and in the 18 to 30 demographic a large portion of my friends are interested in college football, so many times my news consumption is limited to news about Missouri or BYU football. Which is ok by me, its just not going to expand my horizons and make me a more knowledgeable citizen.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
What is journalism?
Protected by the United States Constitution, journalism occupies a significant role in society by affecting the daily lives of citizens. Journalism has evolved over time and continues to change as technology progresses and eliminates challenges faced in previous eras. Many people describe journalism in different ways and as Dale Cressman once said, “There is no right answer.” Journalism is gathering and reporting news and any person who has the ability to present and package information can be a journalist.
Gathering the news is a fundamental process essential to journalism. The need for people to gather information through interviews and research will always exist. Interviews allow readers to understand the impacts of issues on individuals. Interviews also allow media consumers to be presented to experts that they might not meet otherwise. Gathering experiences on the first hand consequences and processing expert opinions create a foundation to journalism.
Journalism can be defined on how a producer chooses to present information previously researched. Journalists have a plethora of information available to them and they decide what they will present and how they will present it. The way a media producer uses his or her gate-keeping responsibility determines if something can be called journalism. If the information is packaged in way to inform citizens so they can have a higher quality of life then journalism has occurred. If information is packaged to further an agenda or publicize an events and decisions then advertising or public relations has occurred. Journalism is a calling to serve society and the way information is presented and packaged defines the creation of journalism.
Anyone with a platform can be a journalist. The invention of the printing press enabled information to be distributed to a previously unimaginable of number people. Not everyone with a printing press was a journalist, but journalists needed the printing press to present previously researched information to the public. The same trend continues today as social media technology progresses and grows in popularity. A twitter account is far easier to obtain in our day than a printing press was to obtain in the 18th century, but the principle remains the same. Not everyone with a twitter account is a journalist, but as evidenced by the revolution in Iran twitter accounts can be valuable sources of journalism that inform citizenry and help them make decisions. Anyone with the ability to publish a message can be a journalist.
Gathering the news is a fundamental process essential to journalism. The need for people to gather information through interviews and research will always exist. Interviews allow readers to understand the impacts of issues on individuals. Interviews also allow media consumers to be presented to experts that they might not meet otherwise. Gathering experiences on the first hand consequences and processing expert opinions create a foundation to journalism.
Journalism can be defined on how a producer chooses to present information previously researched. Journalists have a plethora of information available to them and they decide what they will present and how they will present it. The way a media producer uses his or her gate-keeping responsibility determines if something can be called journalism. If the information is packaged in way to inform citizens so they can have a higher quality of life then journalism has occurred. If information is packaged to further an agenda or publicize an events and decisions then advertising or public relations has occurred. Journalism is a calling to serve society and the way information is presented and packaged defines the creation of journalism.
Anyone with a platform can be a journalist. The invention of the printing press enabled information to be distributed to a previously unimaginable of number people. Not everyone with a printing press was a journalist, but journalists needed the printing press to present previously researched information to the public. The same trend continues today as social media technology progresses and grows in popularity. A twitter account is far easier to obtain in our day than a printing press was to obtain in the 18th century, but the principle remains the same. Not everyone with a twitter account is a journalist, but as evidenced by the revolution in Iran twitter accounts can be valuable sources of journalism that inform citizenry and help them make decisions. Anyone with the ability to publish a message can be a journalist.
Journalism
I love journalism. Thusly I will begin to blog on matters pertaining to journalism and it will be awesome. Peace.
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