Day in the life: journalist

TASK 22

The Day in the Life: Journalist video presents the ideas of a Polish Daily News reporter of what it is like to be a journalist. After watching, do the exercises:

1. complete the sentences with appropriate words: assignment, intense, deadlines, internships, editor, Metro*, structure the interview, proof reader, patiently.

1. A day in the life of daily paper is pretty _____ .

2. I cover _____ section, and whatever is happening in New York.

3. After I get to work, I’m getting an ______ – a story to write.

4. Back in my native Poland I worked as an _____ and _____.

5. Always listen ______ and try to ______.

6. Try to do as many ______ in the local papers as possible.

7. I’m so used to those tight _____, all the time the pace is very high.

2. answer the questions:

1. How does Ewa start her working day?

2. Does she have to do many assignments a day?

3. How long has she been a journalist?

4. How does she describe a typical path to journalism?

5. Does Ewa like being a reporter more than being an editor? Why?

6. What is a typical path for a journalist?

7. What qualities are important for a reporter according to Ewa?

TRANSLATION AND WRITING ACTIVITIES

TASK 23

 Translate the following text into Russian:

Skills and qualities of a good journalist

Good journalists have several characteristics that cannot be taught in school, but must be part of who they are.

Journalists have to have an eye for what is newsworthy. A good journalist must be resourceful to find a solution to difficult situations that can sometimes be at a dead end. Being a committed journalist is also important. The news business is highly unpredictable, and the person who refuses to work overtime usually won't get far.

Speed and accuracy is also crucial, especially when it comes to deadlines. This is where many aspiring journalists have problems. Good journalists have prioritization skills to produce stories due.

Having a thick skin can also be helpful. There will be times where editors may yell and you will find yourself in a high-pressure environment, readers will criticize you and your work or you might even receive threats because of stories you write. A good journalist turns in relatively clean copy, which means you must possess decent spelling and grammar skills. Journalists have to juggle many things at a time which is why multitasking is also a must have skill.

Interpersonal skills are extremely important. You need to be able to ask tough questions, get the details to have a story written with accurate facts and quotes. A good journalist must have the strength to take that extra step in order to get the story written.

http://www.universalbyline.com/whatmakesagoodjournalist.php

CAREERS FILE

When asked about the reasons to take up journalism as a career, professionals list a commitment to change the world, an authority to shape the discussion, a way to earn a living, a chance to realize love for writing. What are your reasons for choosing journalism as a career?

 READING AND DISCUSSING 4

TASK 24

In the selection of interview extracts below working journalists come up with the reasons for choosing their track in the profession. Find those who consider career in journalism as a

• chance to realize their love for writing

• way to earn a living

• power to form public opinion

• commitment to change the world

Simone S. Oliver, Senior Producer, Styles – ‘I respect the written word deeply. The medium doesn’t matter. It could be a printed article, a blog post, an audio slide show or a video; it’s all storytelling. I would describe the reporting part as invigorating and inspiring. The writing part is excruciating. I get entrenched in every story I pitch, especially when the subject hits home.’

Juan D, local newspaper reporter – ‘I believe writing for a newspaper is great because it allows you the opportunity to develop a deep personal understanding of how industries, economies, companies, government agencies and key decision-making individuals function.’

Fernanda Santos, environmental section editor – ‘I write because I love to tell stories that make people see things they never saw. I like to put words together that paint pictures in the readers’ minds that stir emotions and make them laugh / cry / get angry. My audience greatly influences my writing because they make me want to write every story well, no matter how short or simple the story might be.’

Girmay Gebru, photo journalist, Ethiopia – ‘For me Journalism is long-lasting responsibility in life. It is not simply transferring information but also a tool to shape the misinformed. It is all about to act in the middle of fire. So, a journalist has to be educated, well informed, and committed. Journalist has to be always in a painstaking struggle internally and at least legally neutral from any political membership.’

Pete Thamel, radio reporter, sports – ‘I really and truly believe that sports’ writing is a prism that reflects every race, class and background of people from around the world. And I think it’s a privilege to be able to chronicle that. In writing I try to limit outside forces as much as possible and not to enter stories with angles or agendas.’

http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/17/why-i-write-q-and-a-with-seven-times-journalists

What other arguments for choosing journalism as a career are mentioned in the texts? Tell what inspires or drives you to choose journalism as a career.

JOBS IN JOURNALISM

Being a journalist means to be ready to do many jobs. This can include anything from writing a story to interviewing people on camera. The job description of a journalist includes an entire gamut of functions from uncovering developing stories to getting the information to print, online or on the television screen.

LISTENING 2

TASK 25

Listen to Audio Recording 2 to understand the difference between some of the journalism jobs:

1. choose the best variant (presenter – announcer – broadcaster):

1. A person, who introduces or hosts the program, links its parts and says good-buy in the end.

1. presenter b) announcer c) broadcaster

2. Provides spoken information about the news, weather, program content and advertising.

a) presenter b) announcer c) broadcaster

3) Usually has multiple talents and does scriptwriting, directing, presenting, etc.

a) presenter b) announcer c) broadcaster

4) In TV programs may only feature as a voice.

a) presenter b) announcer c) broadcaster

5) Usually reads word for word from the script.

a) presenter b) announcer c) broadcaster

6) Someone well-experienced in the TV or radio industry.

a) presenter b) announcer c) broadcaster

2. Answer the questions (reporter – journalist – columnist):

1. Are the jobs of a reporter and journalist similar?

2. Whose work is usually seen in print, especially newspapers?

3. Can journalists’ work for TV and radio stations?

4. Is it correct to say that reporter is a type of journalist?

5. What do information sources include?

6. Do columnists usually specialize in a particular area?

7. What do columnists offer as different from reporters and journalists?

 READING AND DISCUSSING 5

TASK 26

Examine the suggested job profiles of working journalists to do the following:

• match the journalists’ photos to their job profiles,

• complete the table below with information on the journalists’ work activities.

1. Alan Johnston currently works as a foreign correspondent with the BBC in Gaza. His job requires overseas placement of one to three years covering current events. His medium for reporting is television and radio. He began work as a sub-editor for the BBC World Service Newsroom, and then secured a job as correspondent in Uzbekistan and later in Afghanistan. Nearing the end of a three-year assignment in Gaza, Johnston was kidnapped at gunpoint by militants and was held 114 days as a hostage. Johnston’s story demonstrates the great risk involved in international journalism.

2. Amelia Shepherd-Smith is a business pundit based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She analyzes and reports on regional and international business. She writes for several magazines and can have six stories in progress at the same time. Articles range from 800-4000 words. Much of her time is spent in research, either reading newspapers and magazines or conducting interviews. Amelia does freelance in spare time.

3. Sergey Cheskidov is one of Russia’s best-known sports commentators. He is recognized for his professionalism as well as the human touch he brings to his coverage of sporting events. Cheskidov was influential in organizing live broadcasts of Formula 1 (F1) races in Russia. Despite his managerial activities Cheskidov still finds time to make documentaries about prominent sports personalities. Sergey Cheskidov is also a frequent guest on talk shows promoting a healthy lifestyle.

4. Lisa Ling is currently a reporter and host of National Geographic’s Ultimate Explorer program. Lisa’s job is to gather firsthand information and footage on various national and international issues ranging from drug running in Colombia to life inside North Korea. Lisa’s job requires her to travel to these often unstable and dangerous regions to investigate firsthand the specific topic she is researching. After she has gathered her information and footage Lisa compiles it into a documentary or series of films, which is then aired on the Explorer program.

5. Daniel Lak is a CBC online news writer, based in Toronto. He researches and writes articles posted on CBC News website. He didn’t finish university but started working for the media in television and print in Canada. He wanted a job as a foreign correspondent and went to England where he managed to get employed by the BBC. After some time he was assigned to Pakistan as a news correspondent. Dan Lak scooped a great deal of stories when working in India and Nepal with the BBC.

6. Sofi Margareta Fahrman is a Swedish journalist and fashion reporter at the Aftonbladet newspaper. SofiFahrman also runs and owns the blogs Sofis snapshots and Sofis Mode, weekly releases own fashion magazine. She was a celebrity editor on Aftonbladets celebrity and entertainment magazine Klick! Fahrman worked for Elle magazine in Sweden for a few years, as well as the editorial firm Loweforever. She led the TV fashion show on Kanal 5 and TV 7. In 2011 Sofi along with her sister Frida Fahrman hosted the television show Stylisterna (the stylists) on Kanal 5 Play.

http://www.twu.ca/academics/fhss/international/careers-in-journalism.pdf

1	2	3
4	5	6

Journalist	Job title	Professional activities
Alan Johnston
Amelia Shepherd-Smith
Lisa Ling
Daniel Lak
Sofi Margareta Fahrman
Sergey Cheskidov

TASK 27

Read the following passage about journalism jobs. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again, and complete the activities in the column on the right.

Do you have good communication skills? If so, you might want to consider a career in journalism. A job as a news anchor, local reporter, or foreign correspondent can be exciting. To earn a good reputation in any of these jobs, you must be able to write and speak clearly and effectively. Because it takes a great deal of training, becoming a news anchor is considered an achievement. News anchors, also called or newscasters or news analysts gather information from various sources. They prepare stories. Then make broadcast on radio or television. Their stories might be on local, state, national or international events. They also prepare introductions to videotaped news stories. Finally, they introduce transmissions of stories in progress. They must be familiar with satellite technology, which allows for the instantaneous transmission of news around the world. Reporters and correspondents must do a great deal of background work. They investigate leads and tips, interview witnesses and experts. Often, they must act as a photographer as well, taking pictures at the scene of a breaking story or producing a video footage as cameramen. Later, in the office, they organize the information, determine the angle, or slant, from which they will tell the story. If they are in a remote location, they send the story electronically to their home office.

Find synonyms in the second paragraph for anchor. What does a news anchor do? Find the words that tell what you must be able to do to earn a good reputation in journalism. Use reputation in a sentence of your own. Find the words that tell why it is an achievement to become a news anchor. Name an achievement you are proud of. What technology should a news anchor be familiar with? Is it the latest technology for broadcasting? Who do reporters interview? If you were to interview a news anchor, what would you ask? What does a news photographer do? What kind of pictures do you enjoy taking? Find a synonym to the word angle. Is it possible to tell a story without an angle?

• WATCHING VIDEO 6