Ask the Coach

Just another Freedom Forum Diversity Institute weblog

Business smarts

As most journalists are aware, the old newspaper business model isn’t working. Is it safe to take a job with a company that’s had cutbacks but is now rebounding?

Layout or lay off?

In today’s journalism world, is it still an added bonus to learn how to lay out a newspaper?

Opinionated reporting?

My experience in journalism has largely been confined to opinion writing, both at my college paper and at a previous internship. What can I do to make a successful transition from op-ed writing to news reporting?

Writing for the political right, then the left?

Will writing for a politically conservative publication hurt your chances of working for a left-leaning one later, or vice-versa? Read what the coach has to say.

Befriending sources

As a reporter, how do you get the information you need from your sources, but not cross the line of becoming too close with them?

Close-minded Customers

Some readers in our conservative community don’t like it when we publish certain stories, particularly about race and sexual orientation. Is there a danger in feeding your readers stories many don’t want to see?

Finding a Mentor

There’s a great reporter in my newsroom whose work I really respect. However, I haven’t developed a relationship with him. He’s fairly busy and somewhat serious, and we have barely spoken two words to one another.

Just Show Up

My internship experience isn’t what I expected it to be. I’m working in an isolated closet-like office down the hall from everyone and I share it with a part-time reporter. It’s my third week and I haven’t produced anything original.

Late for Lunch

Before my internship, a reporter at the paper, whom I know from school, made arrangements to have her editor (and her) meet me for lunch. I got the time wrong.

Two Tips for Writing a ‘Complete’ Story

I sometimes leave key information out of a story. Not essential information, or anything that would make the story inaccurate, but things that, in retrospect, would increase reader understanding.