On My Way: A Day in the Life of a Journalist

Summary

In this transcript, Janice, a 33-year-old journalist, shares her experiences and insights into the field of journalism. She explains the role of journalists in conveying information to the public, from everyday news to complex topics like geopolitics. She emphasizes that writing skills, while important, are not the primary focus—critical thinking and new sense (an intuition for newsworthiness) are more crucial. Janice discusses the misconceptions about media control and the need for technical skills such as photography and graphic design to stay relevant in the digital age. Her passion lies in giving a voice to underrepresented communities and appreciating the realities around her.

Takeaways

• 📰 Journalists' main role is to convey important information, ranging from simple topics like weather to complex issues like geopolitics.
• 🏆 Writing an award-winning article is challenging and often requires leading to policy change, but it's not easy to achieve.
• 🦠 During breaking news situations, like the COVID-19 pandemic, journalists are called upon to cover events outside their usual beats.
• 📋 There is no set way to find a story; it often comes from tip-offs, observations, or trends that require research and interviews.
• ✍️ Writing the story is considered by some, including Janice, to be the easiest part of the journalistic process.
• ❌ A common misconception is that the government monitors every article written by journalists, which is not true.
• 💬 Another misconception is that being a journalist requires exceptional writing skills, but simple and clear writing is often preferred.
• 🎓 Janice majored in sociology and history and believes these fields trained her to think critically, which helps in journalism.
• 📸 Technical skills like photography, graphic design, and video production are becoming increasingly important as journalism moves online.
• 💪 Resilience is key in journalism, as rejection and long stakeouts are common, but the reward is giving people a voice and staying connected to reality.

Q & A

Who is speaking in the transcript, and what is their profession?

The speaker is Janice, a 33-year-old journalist.

What does Janice describe as the main role of a journalist?

Janice explains that a journalist’s main role is to convey important information to the public, ranging from simple updates like the weather to complex topics such as geopolitics and finance.

What does Janice mention about award-winning articles?

She notes that award-winning articles are those that lead to policy change, but they are very difficult to come by.

How does Janice describe the process of getting a news story?

A news story usually comes from a tip-off or by observing a trend, followed by research and discussions with industry people. After gathering information, the editor decides if it’s enough to pursue the story.

What example does Janice provide about covering breaking news?

She recalls a situation when her editor asked her to cover a COVID-19 case at a ferry terminal early in the morning, even though it wasn’t related to her usual business beat.

What misconception about journalists and the government does Janice clarify?

She clarifies the misconception that the government has someone monitoring the newsroom every day. She emphasizes that this is not true.

Is exceptional writing skill necessary to be a journalist, according to Janice?

No, Janice states that exceptional writing skills are not necessary. Journalists favor simpler writing styles to ensure the public can easily understand the stories.

What educational background does Janice have, and how does it help her as a journalist?

Janice has a double major in sociology and history, and a master's in human rights and democratization. She believes her background in social sciences helps her think critically, which is important for journalism.

What does Janice mean by 'news sense,' and why is it important?

'News sense' refers to a journalist’s intuition about what stories will interest readers. Janice mentions that it’s a hard skill to develop, but it’s crucial for success in journalism.

What additional skills does Janice believe are useful for journalists today?

Janice highlights the importance of technical skills like photography, graphic design, and video production, in addition to traditional writing and information gathering skills. These make journalists more versatile in the digital age.