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Sports or news?

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by housejd, Jan 16, 2008.

  1. housejd

    housejd Member

    Thanks to those who offered advice. I appreciate the insight. And wicked, not sure what you meant by "brief journalism career" as I certainly expect to be working in this field for a very long time. I'm at four years thus far.

    I've worked in both news and sports collegiately and professionally, and I'm just saying this is a story I would have assigned to a sportswriter. Mostly because he or she would have understood the situation better and written a more complete story. I wholeheartedly believe in assigned stories to the best fit reporter, and the fact sports wasn't even considered, I felt, was a slight to us.

    Feel free to mock me for asking for some insight, as I feel some of you had. Just be glad to know there's young people out there willing to learn and ask for guidance at times. We're going be the ones that eventually replace you, so I see no reason for cynical jabs at young reporters trying to learn.
     
  2. deskslave

    deskslave Active Member

    If this place imparts no other wisdom, it's that your journalism career is unlikely to be long. Tides are a-changin'. And, yeah, you'll probably replace us at some point. You'll be cheaper. And in 10 years, some young stud will replace you.

    Of course, Brad Renfro got out of journalism, and look where he ended up.

    As for the story, I'd have covered it with a sports reporter, then decided where it would be best played.
     
  3. wickedwritah

    wickedwritah Guest

    housejd, the slam wasn't meant at you. It was meant at the business. You'll probably get laid off by 30, walk away and won't look back.
     
  4. SixToe

    SixToe Well-Known Member

    Excellent advice, and truthful.

    Your news editor should have communicated with you about the meeting and asked for your input, no matter which section ended up with the story.

    Lack of communication in an industry based on communication is a major problem in many organizations.
     
  5. bdh02

    bdh02 Member

    Seems like something that's best covered by a sportswriter and then put in the news section.
     
  6. fishwrapper

    fishwrapper Active Member

    I've never had News swoop in and cover a sports story "their" way. ;)
     
  7. expendable

    expendable Well-Known Member

    In my shop people are trying to pawn stuff off onto sports. This morning I had to explain that just because ESPN carries the National Spelling Bee, a local bee is not a sports event. ::)
     
  8. Tom Petty

    Tom Petty Guest

    have you ever bothered explaining what the E in ESPN stands for?
     
  9. Ace

    Ace Well-Known Member

    So are you going to go talk to athletes/coaches and get their take for a sports story?

    Maybe find out who takes book on campus and get his take?

    Whaddya gonna do to actually show that sports can do better?
     
  10. expendable

    expendable Well-Known Member

    No, I spent more time explaining the L in Lazy-ass Social Editor.
     
  11. Tom Petty

    Tom Petty Guest

    that works, too.
     
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