I’m Interested in Journalism’s Future, Not its Past

There has been much handwringing in the wake of the Federal Trade Commission’s workshop on the Internet’s impact on journalism. I didn’t watch any session because I’m interested in journalism’s future, not its past. Here are a few of my thoughts.

photo credit: Sheffield Tiger

Love Your Beat

Reporters aspire to bigger assignments, but the reporters who make a difference are the ones who love their communities, their beats, or their daily assignment. Even if you don’t care about a story, someone does. If you take their story half-way, you have damaged the relationship with your readers and the community. Both will suffer.

Put More People in Your Stories

The next time you cover the city council, emphasize the real people at the meeting. Write the story without mentioning an elected official. Your story will be more interesting and have greater impact.

Stop Treating Journalism Like a Competition

People are competitive. But there is no value in being first in today’s news cycle. You are more valuable when you are a trusted source of timely, reliable information.

Stop Entering Writing Competitions

You’ll spend more time writing for your readers rather than juries of journalists.

Here are other articles I have written on this topic:

• How Can The Internet Offer Promise and Lack Profit?
• Writing a Strategic Communications Plan: Executive Summary
• Writing a Strategic Communications Plan: Planning & Implementation
• 10 Online Writing Style Guides