Journalism 101

[Liander]

Journalism is a profession, but never one to stumble into unknowingly. It is not a hobby, a whim, or a tool. The decision to be a reporter should not be made lightly. As you train to become a journalist, as you gain experience and exposure, you will slowly start to see that journalism has become more than a job. It has become who you are. You will think more critically, you will gain just enough knowledge to be dangerous in a wealth of subjects, and you will always have your eyes and ears open for stories, for photos, for the ‘clip bell’ when an interview subject says the perfect quote. The cellphone and internet epidemic in which “everyone is a journalist” is, at its core, a dangerous concept and creates false impressions - both about how all-consuming journalism is as a career, and about the skill and hard work it takes to be a journalist.

That is not to say expression or creativity is not welcome among reporters or should be stifled; if a journalist wishes to write an opinionated piece, that is what editorials are for, and Ab Antiquo, of course, encourages discussions from all walks of life. That said, in order to maintain journalistic integrity and get as many sides to a story as possible, journalists have to be neutral, they have to be critical, they have to be objective.

To make a conscious decision to be a reporter is to make the decision to give yourself to the community. Journalists do not write for glory or praise, and we do not expect to be remembered as more than anything other than a footnote in the index of history, credited only for the documentation of events larger than ourselves. This life is tireless and thankless, but it is often rewarding in its own right. At the end of the day you know you have made a contribution - however small - to the city; keeping the citizens informed, recording the flow of history, and generating activity.

So how is it done? Once the decision has been made to give yourself to something beyond the individual, what steps should be taken? In short, there is no how-to guide. You either possess the ability or you do not, and the evidence of this comes from the buzz of the community itself. Pump out all the profile pieces and poetic prose you want, flood the papers with all the irreverent commentary or raving discourse as your heart demands - these things a journalist, a reporter, an individual dedicated to delivering news and telling history do not make.

And while there is no manual, what follows is a rough outline that has been cobbled together from the collection of experiences past. It is a compendium of the successes and failures of those who have come before and their rising, falling, or their total irrelevancy.

The easiest yet most difficult lesson is this: your job is only to inform. It is not to speculate or commentate. Use whatever flair or narrative expertise you have at your disposal (everyone loves a good story), but when those things are stripped away, all that should remain are solid, verifiable facts. Collect and cherish those things and you will often find your narrative writing itself.

You must also be willing to present all the facts. Not only is it not your job to cherry pick information, it is also below you. The public will know and call you out when you do this and you will lose their trust. To a reporter, the trust of the masses (and of your informants) is as vital as blood to a vampire.

The mere presentation of certain facts will paint a target on your back. But if your priority is the opinion of others, then you need to find a new career - might I suggest Public Relations? There will always be those who rage and stomp when you provide evidence that does not suit the narrative they are attempting to spin themselves, even if it as something as simple as the record of a Second Sight.

In regards to rumors, as is relevant to the above, it also does fall on you to address these. When the public whispers their questions, it is your duty to provide the best answers you can. If no such answers are available, then acknowledge them regardless. Let the people know you hear them. It will surprise you how quickly answers come when you do this - and always remember that silence is as resounding an answer as anything. However, a word of caution on rumors - never present them as if they are facts. Investigate, show your research, and allow the reader to come to a decision.

Keep your informants and sources close to your chest, even if they do not ask you to. Do not reveal their names to sire, childer, partner, or leader regardless of how loudly they demand you "prove your loyalty." You owe them nothing and have just as much to prove. The people closest to your heart, no matter how much you trust them, will talk. They always talk. Once you have betrayed, intentional or not, the confidence of those who keep you updated, they will never trust you again. See above for the necessity of trust. A good editor will not ask you to reveal your source unless the integrity of the paper is at stake - and even then, if a source must be revealed, the editor should adhere to the journalistic code and keep the source to themselves.

Reach out to people, even if you don't like them. You must be able to separate your individual self from the being that is the reporter. In collecting and documenting information, every piece of the puzzle is necessary to complete the image. More often than not, there will be many who do not speak to you. They will either ignore your calls or outright if politely deny requests for their time. This is not your failing. Use what you have and make the best of it. Document every message and attempted outreach, because when they call you a liar, claim you are biased or attempt to discredit you with the information they were unwilling to provide at the onset, you will make your paper’s legal and PR team very happy. And do not stop attempting to reach them, even after they tell you no. Reporting is at least 75% pure stubborn resolve, and eventually, someone will crack.

Select your informants carefully. Decide on snap judgments whether or not you trust the individual who is speaking to you. Ask yourself - what is their motive and do they have anything to gain by lying to you? Leaders or official representatives of a group should be your go-to. This is not to discredit the perspectives of those below them, but by working from the bottom up instead of vice versa you are defeating yourself. Leaders do not appreciate when you attempt to circumvent them and the entire piece will become suspect. Do not trust anyone who openly says you can call them. They always have an agenda. You are free to use the information they provide, but weigh and measure it in comparison to the whole, asking yourself - is this necessary to the story? If they decry your very name and in the same breath whisper promises of respect and trust, then they are worth neither your time nor respect.

Know the difference between an article and an editorial. Use each as necessary. The opinionated discussion generated by the latter is a tool and should not be dismissed, but do not allow the flavor to muddy objective presentation. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth for all involved.

Do not attempt to recreate the work of others. Never copy - this is the cardinal sin of journalism. No matter how you do it, it will always feel to others as a cheap imitation. Find your personal style, allow the words to flow from you in a stream of consciousness and do not struggle against the tide. It is better to be genuine in your art than to mimic better work. All else can be learned and practiced over time.

Above all else, be self-aware. Know and admit your failings and listen to the criticism given to you, even if the presentation leaves something to be desired. See Vex's post here for more.

None of these things will come to you overnight. That's okay. Nobody expects perfection of you. But be sincere in your attempt and success will come. If this piece spoke to or even interests you, remember - we're hiring.

Oh and feel free to write drunk, but always, always edit sober.

[Oberon]

Ah, this is a very welcome insight, and I'd like to thank the few and incredibly talented people on the AB team that strive to keep the rest of us less inclined towards the art of writing the woes of reality informed. Your sacrifice is important to us - some of us do immensely enjoy the well worded and engaging exposition of facts rather than... well. Those who aren't? I'm going to avoid the jarring but blatant comparison to other peoples work, here.

I'm very glad to see what some of the ah, less glamourous parts of journalism are, and how the profession takes pride on being (mostly) the unsung hero, if such thing ever exists. I admit, personally, that I am rather fond of your characteristically charismatic writing, and am always looking forward to reading more of it. Even if only, if anything, because it means something is happening at all in this ever loving pit of hell we call home. I would not be able to do what you do.
Cheers, good Sir. Here's looking forward for the next piece.

[Amari]

Ah, this is a very welcome insight, and I'd like to thank the few and incredibly talented people on the AB team that strive to keep the rest of us less inclined towards the art of writing the woes of reality informed. Your sacrifice is important to us - some of us do immensely enjoy the well worded and engaging exposition of facts

He already said the words in the best way, so, what he said.

All of you [writing the articles, taking the time, researching] well done.
Liander, glad to see you back. I've enjoyed each of your articles and the insight and guidance they give.