Earlier this week, we submitted questions to the anonymous minds behind the TT Media Watch blog. Many of you are impressed (and, perhaps, a bit intimidated) by the constructive, and often scathing criticism of the local media that is doled out on a regular basis on the blog. We hoped that Martine, the blog's persona, would be able to offer some guidance to those among us who intend to get into the media full-time.
Martine's answered the questions, and I'll be posting a few every night until class on Monday.
Leave feedback in the comments section.
TTMedia Watch: The media is generally credible, though some media houses more than others.
Their strengths lie on the genuine qualifications and training of those who run the newsrooms. In days gone by, most local journalists had to learn their trade on the job, with no formal training and they became good at what they did by trial and error, rising through the ranks of their organizations.
But today, there are so many institutions offering training that there is no excuse for any journalist (young or old) not to be the best that they can be (mind you, there are many "training" agencies that are not qualified to teach journalism).
Attaining respectability in less than ideal industry conditions means sometimes walking away from situations which threaten/clash with your journalistic ideals. Don't settle for a job just because it's the only one you can get, or because you are just trying to get a foot in the door. You may very well have to compromise your standards to keep that job.
Jamila Richards: How do we find our true identity as journalists?
TTMedia Watch: Your true identity as a journalist comes in reporting on what drives you the most...whether it's sport, the arts, business, politics. Try different beats (if possible) then try to stick with the one which makes your writing most passionate.
Kirt Carmona: Which international journalists should we take inspiration from?
TTMedia Watch: You can take inspiration from any number of international journalists...we've mentioned a few on the blog like Lyse Doucet of the BBC, Katie Couric of ABC, Dan Rather (formerly of CBS), for the younger ones there's Anderson Cooper of CNN and of course the grand dame of reporting, CNN's Christiane Amanpour. The local journalists of note are Tony Fraser, Lennox Grant. These people know the tenets of journalism inside out and strive to give their audience every angle of a story, good and bad. There are lots more good journalists out there, local as well, that you can also take example from but you'll have to look them up yourself. Everyone's style is different so while one journalist may appeal to you, others won't.
Keith Francois: Do you think there is a need for more journalists in Trinidad and Tobago?
TTMedia Watch: Yes there is a need for more journalists in TT because the crop that's out there has not exhausted all the stories that are waiting to be told. Some of them are already stuck in their various ruts and will not do anything different on pain of being fired, so you new ones have to challenge the status quo...go dig up the hundreds of stories waiting to be told that are right under everyone's noses, but that no one is telling. You may have a neighbour who is in an abusive relationship, or know that a drug dealer lives on your block, or a retaining wall in your neighbourhood that could come crashing down and cause serious damage or even death...there's always a story waiting to be told right under your nose.
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