Big weekends mean big coverage for student journalists

Casey Compernolle, Column

 While many outsiders see Ohio University as a place to party, journalists see it as a place to report.  Big weekends such as Halloween, Homecoming, and spring Fests give the school  a crazy, sometimes unorthodox reputation.

However, huge block parties, such as Halloween, gain national recognition and provide journalistic opportunities almost exclusive to OU journalists.  Having the chance to cover  such large stories can be tricky though and must be done with careful consideration.

It’s no secret that OU was recently named the “#1 Party School,” by the Princeton Review.  And with such a title, comes both positive and negative reactions.

“I have mixed feelings about the title,” Sean McCafferty, a junior majoring in education, said.  “Sometimes I feel as though the students here aren’t portrayed accurately.  I want to be a teacher, and the party school reputation can sometimes take away from that professionalism; especially when trying to find a job.”

With such a strong journalism community here at Ohio University, journalists are sometimes faced with a double-edged sword. How do we act as good journalists and simply provide the facts without making our school seem like a mere party school?

Wesley Lowery, a senior majoring in news writing and editing and editor-in-chief of the student-run newspaper The Post, is familiar with this dilemma all too well.

“What is difficult is people see students as the problem, but they blame the media rather than the students for the behavior.  It’s hard when you have to write about students’ arrests.  I mean, how do you merit someone’s name?  Is it right or wrong?   Its very unique because these events don’t happen everywhere, OU does get national attention in the fall and spring and it gives journalists breakthrough stories that provide great experience in the field, but it’s not always easy.”

As McCafferty pointed out, professionalism matters.  Full media access coverage on these weekends can sometimes glamorize the party aspect,.

Nevertheless, coverage must be provided, and student journalists must work within the context they have.

“The difference between us and nationally known reporters is that we have context, we have experience, and when a major news outlet picks up a story that is when it usually gets blown out of proportion,” Lowery said.

While this proposes challenges for student journalists covering major student associated events, we can use this unique situation to our advantage to gain valuable reporting experience.

Giovanna Delgarbino, a sophomore studying pubic relations agrees.

“Instead of living within the shadow of a party school atmosphere, it’s the perfect opportunity to rise above it.  When I go for a job interview my portfolio won’t show my drinking skills, it will show my writing skills.  OU has provided me with the chance to write about concerts, musicals, speakers, and so much more.  I think that is what I want to really shine through in my work.  Many journalists aren’t even partaking in the festivities, we’re just bystanders documenting it,” she said.

It’s easy for people to get caught up in the party school hype, but it’s also easy to see that student journalists truly care about the information they are putting out.  Students want accuracy, and who better to report it then the students themselves?

“Large weekends are always exciting, but they are exhausting.  The Post had full time coverage for the entire weekend; it was a group effort.  Each reporter had shifts, and for every shift there was reporters every hour,” Lowery said.

Big weekends at OU can be tricky for student journalists , but when students work hard to accurately report these events we’re showing readers that we care about journalism.

 

How To: Profile Proficiently

James Roller, Reporter

The story of a single person can offer in-depth insight of a particular issue that a typical news story often cannot. Straightforward newscasts can also be difficult for the average person to relate to, but a profile allows readers access to a unique, colorful perspective of the individual.

In order to achieve this one-of-a-kind goal that profiling presents, there are important points to consider. 

1)   Determine your subject and purpose

The number one question a journalist needs to consider before profiling is who would be a compelling subject to profile and why.

“Look for universality,” Dr. Hans Meyer, online journalism and news writing and editing professor, said.  A basic conflict or aspect of the subject that is relatable to an audience such as, “man vs. man,” or “overcoming the odds,” are situations that many readers find compelling and are familiar with, said Meyer.  

2)   Gain your subjects trust

Often when a journalist is searching for a compelling and relatable story, he or she may come across a subject who is not used to being interviewed, and a subject that isn’t used to being profiled can become intimidated, stifling the interview.

Dr. Michael Sweeney, magazine journalism and news writing and editing professor, said it is often a good idea to spend the first day meeting with this sort of subject. Grilling them with questions will often turn them off. The key is not to seem like a journalist, but to come off as a person who is interested in their story. 

 3) Think of your audience

When writing a profile a journalist always needs to ask, ‘who is my audience?’ Sweeney said that this question is especially important when considering what aspect of the subject’s life to focus on.

For example, if a journalist is profiling a football coach for an audience of other football coaches, the journalist should ask more specific questions that only football coaches may understand, but if writing for fans, a journalist may want to keep the questions more broad.

4)   Dig deeper

After considering these key questions, take the profile a step further and consider what hasn’t been considered.

“Don’t ask questions that have already been asked,” Sweeney said. “Look up all articles that have been written about your subject. The database Lexus Nexus is a great resource when looking for past articles.”

Also, look for family members, friends, and even enemies of your subject to speak with. Often those who know your subject on a personal level can give a better idea of who your subject really is then the subject will, Sweeney said.

5)   Be flexible

Lastly, if the interview takes an unexpected turn, work with it. While a journalist should have at least ten solid questions they know they want to ask, the rest of the questions should come naturally while talking with a subject.

“Don’t be married to your questions,” Sweeney said. “A good profile interview sounds like a conversation.”

National News Correspondent Talks Tragedy and Truth

Holly Moody, Reporter

There is some news coverage we will never forget.

While many Americans experienced the tragic events of the September 11 terrorist attacks through their television screens at home, CBS chief national news correspondent and 60 Minutes contributor, Byron Pitts, was on ground zero gathering the facts of a story that told how thousands lost their lives.

Last Tuesday, Pitts discussed his experiences with covering world tragedies and the importance of reporting the truth with Ohio University’s Society of Professional Journalists members via Skype.

Specifically, Pitts shared details about his Emmy award  winning 9/11  coverage and what went through his mind  on that day.

Having just basic information prior to arriving at the  scene, Pitts said he  was unsure about what to expect and  unaware that this incident was a    terrorist attack on the  U.S until later that day. He began taking notes, with  the  assumption that people would make it out of the building  safely.

“We saw what looked like a giant white piece of paper  floating to the ground,” said Pitts. “We realized it was a  woman in a dress”.

From 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina, human death isn’t an unfamiliar sight to Pitts. Over the course of witnessing 47 deaths in his career thus far, Pitts has become used to watching tragedies occur right before his eyes.

While many may think that Pitts would become emotional in these traumatic moments, he says he does not let his feelings come between him and the story.

“Journalists much reach a balance,” said SPJ president Taylor Mirfendereski.

Pitts aims to always report the truth and humanize his stories, so that viewers can identify with them in some way. He said that humanizing stories makes the American audience appreciate traumatic situations and creates a deeper impact.

“He inspires me to do things like that,” said Broadcast Journalism major Brianna DiPilato, “—reporting hard news that informs and effects people.”

Pitts’ experiences with reporting have not only taken place on American soil. He has traveled across the world, reporting on natural disasters such as the earthquake in Haiti and has been recognized for his work under fire in Baghdad.

He also gave advice about the balance between showing the reality of situations and showing respect in other countries.

“Be careful and listen, don’t pretend to know what others’ lives are like,” said Pitts.

Many students that sat in on Pitts’ discussion identified with his goals as a journalist and what he thinks the foundations of reporting are. In turn, Pitts identified with students as he spoke about working his way up in the journalism industry.

“It’s called making your bones at CBS,” said Pitts. “You have to do certain things to be seen a certain way.”

Today, Pitts continues to report for CBS globally while staying true to the foundation of journalism.

“Honor the truth, that’s my job,” said Pitts.

Scripps publications welcome next year’s leaders

Story // Raquel Harrah, Reporter

With every coming year, publications grow and change with the introduction of new editors to bring their unique visions into the mix. With this school year coming to an end, and new executive boards having already been declared, people can anticipate a fresh approach from their favorite campus news outlets.

For Wesley Lowery, incoming Editor-in-Chief for The Post, this position only comes naturally after serving three years as a Post reporter.

“I started at The Post the first day of my freshman year, so every day I’ve been a student at Ohio University has been with The Post,” Lowery said.

After having to face an extensive range of judges comprised of The Post’s publishing board, 12 faculty members, administrators, students, the business manager and past editor, Lowery will be taking the reigns for next year’s spot of editor-in-chief.

As for what to expect next year, the planning process has already begun for Lowery. “Even things we’re doing well, we can always do better,” Lowery said. One of the aspects Lowery will continue to focus and improve upon is the website, which he says has been a two-year process. “There are going to be some major changes. We’re looking about doing some newer, more unconventional things next year. There will definitely be some changes to the way The Post physically appears, branding ourselves differently, and we’re going to do a little more outreach to the community,” Lowery said.

The Post has already made some major changes this year with its new look, and Lowery admits that not many more big changes will be made with that other than working out the kinks. However, the website will continue to evolve in these coming years, according to Lowery.

“The big thing is to continue pushing online content; the rush to web policy. It’s definitely an attainable goal,” said Lowery.

While Lowery intends to focus on continuing The Post’s image, incoming editor-in-chief for Backdrop magazine, Alex Bojalad, said that after a major facelift for the printed magazine this year, readers should not expect to see additional major changes to the publication.

“We’re trying to keep things relatively consistent. We went through a pretty big branding change with color scheme, and I don’t want to change too much too quickly; keep everything relatively stable,” Bojalad said.

Bojalad said his concrete goal for the upcoming year will be to focus on the writing and stories within Backdrop.

“I would like the content to be as good as possible. We’ve worked hard for a while so the magazine looks good, so I’d like to see some excellent content, stories people would remember after they graduate,” Bojalad said.

On the flip side, the interactive online magazine Thread will see its first transition to new editors. For incoming Editor-in-Chief Ali Mazzotta and Managing Editor Catherine Caldwell, the help of current editor-in-chief and founder of Thread, Jamie Ratermann, has been greatly helpful in this new stage.

“She is awesome. I am with her so much now, and she’s so helpful.” Mazzotta said. “Anything I could ever think to ask her, I can ask her and she’ll be there for me.”

Mazzotta admittedly stated that this transition process has been in baby steps compared to what they can expect in the future. Yet, the wheels are already turning on how they can perfect the popular multimedia magazine.

“I guess the biggest thing I want to accomplish is, every issue we’ve gotten better, and I want to keep that momentum going,” Mazzotta said.

As with any journalism publication, keeping the momentum and shifting for the changing times is essential.

“We want to be continuing to transition, keeping up with technology of the time, and making sure we’re continuing to fulfill our mission statement, along with getting people excited about it, and making people feel included,” Caldwell said.

One of the greatest changes to the publication will be the introduction of a coffee table book that will be available in print around week nine.

All editors make it known that they are not the only people behind the publications. It is a collaborative effort with the rest of their team.

“I can’t say enough how thankful I am that they’ve been so helpful; I finally found my fit,” Mazzotta said.

A Lot of Work Earns a Little Play

Nicole Spears, Reporter

Everyone’s favorite things about kindergarten were learning their ABC’s, counting to 100, and drilling addition fact cards—right? I think not. For those of us who enjoyed the elementary school days, it was most likely the friends we met in class. We lived for recess, craft time, and the occasional field trip to the local petting zoo, because that was when we could socialize and be ourselves. Now, a decade and a half later, many of us feel the pressure to grow out of our child-like states and into more professional versions of ourselves.

One way that Scripps students gain this reputability in their field is by partaking in one of the many organizations offered on campus. Though students get down to a lot of hard work through these groups, there’s some fun to be had when the job is done. These social events let us revert to that kindergarten state of mind, showing our true colors and making new friends. The fun and friends made by becoming involved on campus is just another part of what makes college some of the best years of our lives.

What does your organization do for fun?

ACRN | All Campus Radio Network
“One of the first events we have this spring is our exec retreat, a chance to get together with the other executives in the department and the assistants and just celebrate the year so far. In mid-May, we usually have our $2 Prom dance party, which is a party at The Union where people dress up and we have a theme and Prom pictures. LobsterFest, our end of the year music fest, is also a social. It’s an incredibly involved event we put on for the community and the student body. It’s really another celebration for us to get to relax before the end of the school year, and we have our end of the year barbecue the next day.”
    Jacob Derr, ACRN General Manager

NCASC | National Communication Association Student Club
“NCASC has scheduled an array of events for Spring Quarter fun. At our meeting tonight, we prepared Easter baskets for professors. We will be having a litter pick up with our organization on campus, and we are planning to have a cookout on South Green.”
Hanna Menius, NCASC President

ImPRessions
“With ImPRessions, people can come into meetings and get really focused on the work itself, so it’s important for us to remind them to get to know people and socialize. Once a quarter, we have a big all-firm meeting, so that all our account members can come together and share the work they are doing with other members. We keep the tone fun and informal, and include silly awards or games to get the group chatting. Aside from professional benefits, many of my best friends in college are students who I met via ImPRessions.”
Devin Hughes, ImPRessions President

RTDNA | Radio Television Digital News Association
“RTDNA heavily emphasizes professional development, but we also like to have fun! In the past, we’ve played with dogs at the Athens County Dog Shelter,  held movie and ice-cream socials, and bonded over pizza at Courtside’s slice night. Because the weather is starting to get nice, we’re going to have a cookout at Strouds Run in a few weeks! We realize the importance of bonding with fellow student journalists on a personal level because we’ll likely be working in the same newsroom someday.”
Taylor Mirfendereski, RTDNA President

SPD | Society of Page Designers
“As a group of designers, SPD tries to think outside the box when it comes to springtime socials. We try to promote a positive image for our group with alcohol-free get togethers. This spring, we are planning to have a cookout at Stroud’s Run. Besides socials, SPD takes an annual trip to Columbus to visit The Columbus Dispatch and SBC Advertising.”
Marianne Simmons, SPD Secretary

SPJ | Society of Professional Journalists
“This quarter SPJ is planning a few socials to contribute to the spring quarter atmosphere and to thank our members for another great year in SPJ! We are showing ‘Morning Glory’ in the Scripps Amphitheater to members, journalism students or anyone who wants to join. We are also looking into having a social to finish out the quarter on a fun and positive note. We appreciate our members and want to provide a fun atmosphere to get together, talk, eat and say goodbye for the summer!”
Gina Mussio, SPJ Secretary

OUMS | Ohio University Multimedia Society
“We try to do at least one social event per quarter to get to know one another in a more casual setting. Last quarter we were able to have our website launch party at The Pigskin, and this quarter we are planning to have a cookout or potluck dinner. Major social events also include our trips to Chicago and New York City. Sometimes the best kind of bonding for an organization is experienced outside of Athens, Ohio.”
Annette Drapac, OUMS President

OU Advertising Association
“Advertising majors definitely have the most fun, so it’s not hard for us to get together and have a good time. In the spring we celebrate our Transitions social, a social celebrating the elections of new executive board members. We also have an annual Cinco de Mayo social, which also serves as a senior-send-off. Another tradition is the annual kickball game against PRSSA. We also go out after weekly meetings to Courtside’s Slice Night sometimes to get to know each other outside of the meetings. Having socials outside of meetings is a way to get to know the other members in a fun atmosphere. You definitely get to know them better than you would at the meetings.”
Stephanie Cesear, Ad Club Vice President

LinkedIn fails to add personal touch to networking paradigm

Nick Robbe, Reporter

When I first came to college I repeatedly heard one word: networking. It was drilled into my mind as well as the minds of my fellow first-year classmates. We were told about it but were never really told the correct way to do it.  Graduate student Molly Yanity explains the phenomenon of networking and why, though beneficial, it will never replace a genuine attitude.

How easy is it to maintain the network of professional relationships once created?
It’s not easy.  I think it’s a whole lot easier now that you have LinkedIn and Facebook, but there is also a fine line between keeping a network strong and being a nuisance.

Every now and then, drop an email. You see something that’s happened or something that’s happened where they work and you send them email (to let them know you are thinking of them). That makes a big difference.

I was at a speaking engagement in San Diego and some of the people that were on this panel, Howard Bryant of ESPN: The Magazine, Jackie MacMullan (who was a columnist and associate editor for The Boston Globe), and Rick Reilly, who is now a columnist for ESPN was the keynote speaker.  I got to meet them and it was the only time ever I saw those people.

Bryant still speaks in my classes on Skype and conference calls.  He has published some really amazing books, and whenever he publishes those books, I drop him a line.

I saw the guy one time in my life, but he is someone who I know I can count on and he has asked for favors and I’d do it in a minute.  You just have to make an effort.

What does a student hope to gain from being included in a network?
It depends on how much you put into it.  I think that aside from bylines the most important thing you get out of internships is building personal relationships.  A lot of times the personal relationships don’t lead directly to jobs, but it’s ‘Hey, I know someone who I can put you in touch with.’ That’s when the networking becomes invaluable.

The greatest thing any fledging professional has going, you’re young, you’re full of energy, you’re full of ideas, and people like to be around that.  If you have an engaging personality, it’s going to do great things for you.”

What are technicques for forming networks?
Be genuine and gracious. In a couple years I am going to have to go out and try to get a job as a professor somewhere.

I go to conferences and try to meet as many people as I can, and when I get back, I write them an email saying, ‘It was great to meet you. I hope to keep in touch in the future.’

I think those are the kinds of things that you need to be doing while you are looking for any job.  I still keep in touch with people that I had internships with.  Not just your superiors, but your colleagues too.  Be genuine and gracious.”

LinkedIn is utilized by a variety of professionals, but how much help does it really provide?
It makes it easier, but LinkedIn isn’t anything personal.  It’s a way to keep track of someone’s contact information sometimes.  It helps, but I still think you need the personal touches.

You can’t just say, ‘Oh that’s my LinkedIn friend.’  It’s really, truly a personal thing, and it has to be about your relationships.

If you can have a relationship, and you put forth some effort, you’re an engaging human being.  You’re not just taking advantage, and you’re giving something back.  You are going to be good at networking.

How To: Focus your stories more proficiently

Story // April Jaynes, Reporter

It’s one of those nights again. The nights where you’re forced to immerse every  fiber of your being and every minute of your consciousness into the demanding academic tasks that you’ve so effortlessly avoided throughout the week.

However, this time sitting patiently upon your daunting mountain of work lies a notebook and recorder, just waiting to release the words and thoughts of the sources meant to assemble a story worthy of both publication and your affectionate attention.

Considering these grim circumstances, how does a good journalist provide the quality work and thought required to write a compelling story that simply deserves to be? Answer: with determination, coffee and, most importantly, focus.

Often, we must fight for our focus.  The  existence of this unfortunate fact has led me to compile a few tips that aid me in conquering my apathy and encroaching deadlines.

1) Macro Examination.  Consider the big picture of your story. Who or what does the issue, event or subject affect and why? Look over all of your notes, review your recorded interviews and get a feel of what’s really happening. A big picture perspective is often the essence of an article. It’s a starting point for you as a writer, and an end point for readers to ponder over after their eyes have left your words.

2) Look for Trends.  Go a little deeper and delve into the specifics of what your sources are saying.  Has anything been repeatedly brought up in your interviews? Why? Do you have all the angles on the re-occurring topic? Trends can provide the core of your article, and overlooking them could cost you true substance.

3) Determine Appropriate Structure.  Once you have the meaning of your article, it’s time to decide how you can most efficiently and effectively get the message across.  Are you reporting an event, investigating an issue or featuring an interesting subject? Will chronological order or order of importance work best?  A logical, appealing structure in a story goes a long way.  It gives you a pre-determined path to follow and your readers a thorough reading experience.

4) Write, write, and write. Here’s where you begin to pick up speed. You now know where your story is going and your words will follow accordingly. This is the part where your pre-determined focus releases itself through your frantically typing fingers and onto the lit-up screen in front of your weary eyes. If there’s room for error, it’s here. All that matters is that you cover all bases and let your focus blossom, even if you encounter a few rabbit trails along the way.

5) Delete Irrelevancies. Before you send off your story to be reviewed, dissected, and polished by your trusty editor, give it a run-through yourself. Weed out the nomadic sentences that haven’t quite found their place in the story. Ask yourself what you really need and what complements the message of your findings. Remove what doesn’t belong and you will finally have the pivoted, provoking article that you and your readers  desire.

Turmoil erupts over New York Times digital subscription

Story // Raquel Harrah, Reporter

Another shadow of uncertainty is cast on the future of print journalism as more and more news industries are beginning to shut down certain free services and offer digital subscriptions instead.

On March 28, the New York Times said goodbye to their free website and App services and announced their plan for the future: digital subscriptions. Joining the bandwagon of other top news industries like The Wall Street Journal, the New York Times outlines the changes made through digital subscriptions in a “Letter to Our Readers” written by Editor Arthur Sulzberger Jr. Sulzberger went so far as to call this major alteration an “investment in our future.”

Already in effect, the enactment of digital subscriptions now limits unsubscribed online readers to only 20 articles per month. Smartphone and Tablet App users will also experience a change in their news availability by only receiving access to “Top News,” unless they take the initiative to purchase one of the three packages the New York Times offers for digital subscriptions.

This questions how or even if digital subscriptions will impact the malleable journalism field. According to Ohio State journalism instructor and advisor to The Lantern, Dan Caterinicchia, partial digital subscriptions have already been attempted and were generally not well-received.

“They tried this already. They tried to put certain columnists along the paywall but they decided it didn’t work,” Caterinicchia said. “But now that the iPad has just exploded, and there are millions of people that are using it, they probably think the market has hit a critical mass that even if they sacrificed some of the market, enough people would pay for these services.”

Customer loyalty seems to be the premise of their idea for success but remains something hard to gauge and predict.

“People are used to certain things being free. You may have to pay for print and even if it has a web, it most likely will be free. That is the biggest challenge that is facing not only media, but also business and market. We’re not making money or haven’t monetized this way, so we have to start charging,” Caterinicchia said.

Caterinicchia said this assumption that people will pay for subscriptions is the “million dollar question.”

“What is that level, how many people do you have to bring that makes alienating some worth it?” Caterinicchia said.

Every new shift in media creates the same questions of the future. It is a topic often perseverated that can never be certain.

“Publications that are medium to small in size have to show everyone else that it is possible to do [digital subscriptions] online. They were having these conversations five and ten years ago. We just don’t know,” said Caterinicchia.

Professor moves away from reporting to pursue book writing

Story // Nick Robbe, Reporter

History is intertwined in many aspects of our society.  Sports are no different.  Dr. Patrick Washburn, a journalism professor at Ohio University, is at the crossroad of where these two social fields meet.

Washburn has been around sports his entire life doing everything from playing sports and being a sportswriter and assistant sports information director at Harvard, to coaching little league.  It was here that he began to develop an interest in the history behind sports journalism.

“Over the years I had gotten more and more interested in how sports journalism had evolved into what it is today,” Washburn said. “(I’m) particularly interested in how it was that the ethics of sports journalism are particularly different from the ethics of the rest of the newsroom.”

He had been commissioned to write a book on the history of black newspapers in America by Northwestern University.  The university wanted him to do another book, and his history of sports journalism proposal was accepted.

In his research, he has found some new information that most people would not consider.

“One of the things that’s particularly interesting is a part that religion played,” he said.

The ideas that stem from the Puritans affected what sports were deemed appropriate and it determined what could be written about them.

The things that have impacted sports journalism have been the driving force for this book.

“ (I’m) not interested in writing a book that talks about one sports writer after another after another after another,” he said. “I am interested in the forces that changed sports writing—admittedly there were a few people that really standout.”

He also said that one of the questions behind the book was “how did sports journalism become what it is today and how did sports differ from rest of the newsroom in terms of their ethics and what they did?”

The book has not had any major struggles in the writing process that would delay its release.

“Probably one of the biggest struggles besides getting books that aren’t in this library (Alden)—is trying to find some of the stuff that not much is written about or that I have stumbled across,” he said. “Probably the biggest thing has been just finding the information and trying not to miss anything.”

As he nears the end of the book, he says there are some major players that he would like to interview, such as Frank Deford, who has been vocal about the decline in newspaper readership and one of the authors (Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams) of the book Game of Shadows because he feels that the book has changed sports writing, causing sports writers to move into hard news.

Three other books have preceded this current book.  He wrote A Question of Sedition, The Office of Censorship’s Attempt to Control Press Coverage of the Atomic Bomb, and The African American Newspaper: Voice of Freedom. This is the last book that Washburn is going to write.

The book will be done next year in the fall.