Journalism & Backgrounds

Summary

In this interview, award-winning journalist Mike Harris, with over 40 years of experience at the Associated Press, reflects on the evolution of journalism, particularly in sports writing. He discusses the impact of social media and electronic journalism, which has accelerated news delivery but also increased pressure on reporters to be immediate, sometimes at the expense of thoroughness. Harris shares personal anecdotes, including covering Notre Dame's historic basketball win and the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt, highlighting the challenges and rewards of a journalism career.

Takeaways

• 📰 Mike Harris is a retired Associated Press journalist with over 40 years of experience, primarily in sports writing.
• 🌐 Journalism has evolved significantly with the rise of social media and electronic journalism, which differs from traditional print media.
• 🔑 One of the downsides of new media is the lack of editorial control, allowing for unregulated content that can be misleading.
• ⏱ The immediacy of new media has increased the speed of journalism but can compromise thoroughness and accuracy.
• 💻 The pressure on journalists has grown due to the need for real-time reporting, which can lead to less thoughtful writing.
• 🔄 Multitasking is now a crucial skill for journalists, who must write before, during, and after covering events.
• 🏈 Mike's passion for sports led him to a career in sports journalism, despite starting on the news side.
• 🏆 He spent 44 years covering sports and enjoyed meeting a wide range of personalities, from famous to not-so-nice.
• 🏆 Memorable moments include covering Notre Dame's upset of UCLA's 88-game winning streak and the tragic death of Dale Earnhardt.
• 🏆 Harris won major awards for his writing, including the Associated Press News Story of the Year, demonstrating that tragedy can bring out the best in a writer.

Q & A

How has journalism evolved over the past few decades according to Mike Harris?

Mike Harris notes that journalism has changed significantly, with a major shift from print media to social media and electronic journalism. This has made the field faster and more immediate, but also puts pressure on journalists to publish quickly, sometimes at the expense of thorough fact-checking.

What are some of the negative aspects of the current state of journalism as described by Mike Harris?

Mike Harris mentions that the immediacy of social media and electronic journalism can lead to a lack of checks and balances, allowing for misinformation. Additionally, the pressure to publish quickly can result in less thoughtful and potentially inaccurate reporting.

How does Mike Harris feel about the role of technology in modern journalism?

While Mike Harris acknowledges that technology has made journalism faster and more accessible, he also expresses concern about the potential for reduced accuracy and depth due to the pressure to publish immediately.

What advice does Mike Harris have for those interested in a career in journalism today?

Mike Harris suggests that aspiring journalists must be prepared to engage heavily with social and electronic journalism, and to be aware of the importance of multitasking and the responsibility that comes with delivering accurate and honest news.

How did Mike Harris become interested in sports journalism?

Mike Harris developed a passion for sports from a young age, playing various sports and attending numerous sporting events with his father. This love for sports led him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

What was Mike Harris's experience like when he first started his career in journalism?

Initially, Mike Harris had to start on the news side as there were no openings in sports journalism. He worked his way into sports writing and eventually spent 44 years in the field, which he loved.

Can you share a memorable moment from Mike Harris's sports journalism career?

One of Mike Harris's most memorable moments was covering the Notre Dame basketball team's victory over UCLA, ending UCLA's 88-game winning streak. He had to file his story by dictating it over the phone under the press table amidst the chaos of the students rushing the floor.

What was one of the most challenging experiences Mike Harris faced as a journalist?

Covering the death of Dale Earnhardt in the 2001 Daytona 500 was a difficult experience for Mike Harris, as he knew Dale personally. Despite the emotional challenge, he managed to write a story that won him two major awards for news writing.

How did Mike Harris handle the emotional aspect of reporting on tragic events?

Mike Harris had to dissociate himself from the personal connection to the subject and focus on being professional. He wrote the story with a high level of professionalism, even though it was emotionally challenging and brought him to tears at times.

What does Mike Harris believe is essential for a successful career in journalism?

Mike Harris emphasizes the importance of learning how to handle both the enjoyable and difficult aspects of journalism, including dealing with tragedy and maintaining a high standard of professionalism and honesty in reporting.