No matter how much the media landscape changes, journalists who have mastered the fundamentals — reporting, writing and fact-checking — will be able to find a place in it.
That was the consensus opinion of the four panelists at the Associated Press Sports Editors Northeast Region seminar on May 3 entitled "A role for everyone in the new sports journalism landscape," at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
"You have to have a willingness to not be frightened by the technology as it presents itself," said Jane McManus of ESPNnewyork.com. "Twitter today may not be the Twitter of tomorrow."
McManus was joined by Dr. Lyn Lepre, a journalism professor at Marist College, Rich Arleo, a Marist journalism student, and Greg Brownell, sports editor at The Post-Star of Glens Falls, N.Y.
"The most important thing is having writing skills," Arleo said. "In (Lepre’s) class, she would hammer home, don’t get your facts wrong. If you can’t write, you’re not going to be a sports writer."
Dr. Keith Strudler, chairman of the Marist School of Communications, moderated the discussion, which was also webcast to a nationwide audience of sports media professionals and academics. He pointed out the challenges journalists of all levels face, from the rapid expansion and popularity of social media to the widespread use of video, audio and other multimedia.
However, it will always come back to the story itself. The form will follow suit, the panelists agreed.
"The one thing that drives the Marist journalism program is ‘don’t let the tools drive the bus,’" she said. Lepre also said Marist is preparing to unveil a new journalism curriculum, and that a web site, MaristMy575.com, is the new training ground for student journalists. Stories for classes are posted online and receive feedback from readers, which leads to more polished work every time out for the students.
Brownell said he’s found recent hires to be well-educated and ready for the challenges of new media, which for them are not really new.
"The can all handle the new forms of media,"Brownell said.
The session can be reviewed via on-demand video.
