Week 1: Discussion One Student Posting and Response

ThursdayAug 31 at 2:27pm

Manage Discussion Entry

When people trying to get a degree in journalism no matter what career of journalism they chose writing, editing, news, etc. there always be at least one area of improvement. My three areas that I need to improve are headline stress and deadline well, handle criticism well, and have good social skills.

How do these areas relate to becoming a good writer and editor?

As it stated in the article Core Skills for the Future of Journalism “Journalists with the right skills are essential for journalism-and for preserving journalisms role with society” (Finberg & Klinger, 2014, page.4). Meaning that having those skills for journalism is important because without that skills journalism can be hard for a person. First, I need to improve in headline stress and deadline well. I get stressed easy, especially if I didn’t turn my work on time. In order, not stress I need to think slowly and never rush anything. Secondly, I can’t handle criticism very well. When someone criticizes me instead of thinking on how I can improve myself sometimes I would tell them what is wrong with them instead of staying quiet. Third, I don’t really have good social skills, but I am working hard towards improving it. I am afraid of giving speeches to people, speaking to the public or on TV. I need to improve on those skills, and I am working hard towards it.

How might these skills positively impact freedom of speech and the ability of the journalist to remain objective and fair in reporting?

“Free speech is the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, by any means” (Free speech, 2013, para 1). I believe that sometimes journalists when they write something they are afraid that it will get them in trouble. They forget that in the United States they are titled to freedom of speech and can basically write anything they want. If journalist strengthens their skills, they wouldn’t be so scared, and they would definitely see a positive impact from it.

Lena Verduyn

References

Finberg, H. and Klinger, L. (April 2014). Core Skills for the Future of Journalism. Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

What is Free Speech? . (2013). Amnesty International UK/Issues. Retrieved from: https://www.amnesty.org.uk/free-speech-freedom-expression-human-right