I’ve just been hired as an entry reporter, but I also want to explore other facets of the job such as photography, multimedia, design, etc. What’s the best way to approach your editor about working in those areas?

Dear Coach,
I got an angry letter from a reader saying I was insensitive for printing a quote that used the word “retarded” to mean “idiotic.” The quote came from a 16-year-old girl who was describing the actions of a competing volleyball team. Her quote ended with “The whole thing was really retarded.” The reader said [...]

If you could look into crystal ball, say, five or 10 years down the line, what journalism skills do you think will be the most valued? Video? Blogging? Which editing programs, etc.? — Forward Thinking

When I do stories on policy issues, cultural customs, trends, etc., the topics are so huge they tend to send me into a panic.

Every week, it seems, another newspaper bites the dust. It’s beyond depressing. My question: Why should I even bother pursuing journalism?

I like my newsroom and the reporting I get to do, but I feel that our push to online takes away from the quality of our stories.

I know that scrappy young journalists should be willing to work anywhere. But as an LGBT journalist of color, I know there are some parts of the country (and the world, for that matter) where I would not feel comfortable living, some newsrooms where I couldn’t be “out.” What to do?

Some recruiters tell me to send blog entries as clips. I have a few that I’m proud of, but I fear that their lighter, informal tone could irritate an editor.

What advice do you have for newsroom staffers whose jobs are secure, but who are emotionally torn up by what’s happening around them?

Yea! Here’s my first solo audio slideshow (well, OK, almost solo…), produced during the second Summer 08 Chips Quinn multimedia training in Nashville under the inspired guidance of Val, Quincy and Anne.