10 ideas to improve your journalism skills

 

2012 TMP Fellows

In 2012, I fulfilled one of my professional dreams of attending a course at Poynter Institute in the United States, www.poynter.org  courtesy of a fellowship programme by The Media Project (TMP), http://themediaproject.org/

One of my colleagues on the programme Anna-Liza Kozma from Canada gave me a precious gift of a booklet titled “ 100 Ideas to make your journalism better” , a publication of Poynter Institute .

I was really inspired reading the 20 page publication which provided great advice on reporting writing and editing, leadership management and entrepreneurship; visual journalism and multimedia, digital tools and social media.

Here are ten of the100 ideas in the booklet to improve your journalism practice.

1.       Know what you don’t know and prepare to conquer your weaknesses.  Whether you have trouble into subject-verb agreement, tense shift or spelling, listen to your inner alarm and have a style book or website ready to double-check yourself. – Vicki Krueger, Manager Poynter’s News University.

2.       Journalists don’t have to share beliefs or have a commonality with the people they are covering. Interview across differences by showing that you care, researching your subject’s background, admitting ignorance, asking to help and treating subjects with respect.- Aly Colon, Instructor, Poynter News University.

3.       Take charge of interviews. Asking good questions is the key that opens the doors that sheds light on a person’s life or beliefs- Chip Scanlan, Affiliate, Reporting, Writing and editing.

4.       Pay attention to framing when shooting video. A TV story should be shot differently than a story that people will watch on a smartphone. Get rid of visual distractions and movements in the background by changing the depth of the field.-Al Tompkins, Senior Faculty, Broadcast and Online.

5.       Do some reporting so you know something about your subject.  Feel free to ask questions such as , “ Where are you most comfortable ? ‘ and “Where do you spend most of your time ?”. – Kenny Irby, Senior faculty, visual journalism and director of diversity.

6.       Review your work. Give it sometime and go back and look at it, and get someone to look at it. Critique sessions will improve your work. – Regina McCombs, Faculty , Multimedia and mobile.

7.       Don’t waste time wondering what your boss wants of you. Stop guessing what he or she wants and ask. Ask as many times as needed to clarify your role. – Butch Ward, Managing Director.

8.       Don’t rage at a difficult colleague. Engage. Try to engage the person in meaningful conversation, figure out a way to motivate him or her and be patient. – Stephen Buckley,Dean of faculty.

9.       Competence is an intrinsic motivator. It feels good to do things we do well, and all journalists want to do more of what they are good at. Reinforce what staffers are doing well, tell the why and give assignments that play to their strengths. –Jill Geisler, Senior faculty, leadership management.

10.   Develop stories with your audience by using online question forums. Ask questions then crowd source the answers. This approach will help you find ideas, sources, experts and insight.- Ellyn Angelotti, Faculty, digital trends and social media.