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.