Student reporters jump to the front lines

by Sarah Morrow and Krysta Lewis
Presidency and the Press

Being a young reporter in the dog eat dog world of journalism is tough, according to three members of the Franklin Pierce University Media Group.

Erica Tomaszewski, Kait Taylor and Samantha Deabay all attended the recent CNN debate as part of the press. They discussed the importance of honesty, confidence, and determination in competing with professional media outlets with participants of the Presidency and The Press conference.

The three-woman media team shared their personal experiences with young students the difference between good reporting, and honest reporting. They said that in politics, it’s often hard to separate fact from fiction.

“Politicians are trained to answer questions,” Taylor told the conference attendees “But passion lies in the voters, they are the ones voting and giving support.” So while a politician may give one answer which seems very eloquent, it may not always be a black and white truth.

The team encouraged participants to go directly to supporters, as well as protesters, because although the people may not have the quick wit and grace that these well-trained politicians do, they always are passionate about their candidate, or the candidate they oppose.
Tomaszewski added, “As many people (that) are for something, there will be against it.” She advised aspiring journalists to “go directly to the picket lines,” because that is where the truth lies. And truth and passion always makes for a good story, she said.

College students seem to be on the bottom of the food chain as far as politicians are concerned. However, the women insisted that students are just as important in both the role of media and as citizens as a whole. “Media is media,” Taylor said “Student reporters are still reporters.”

The women all agreed that although student reporters may not have the same years of experience as professionals that journalism has no prerequisites.

Taylor later added, “We are a large portion of the population, these politicians have to cater to us too.”

Deabay encouraged young journalists to take a no holds barred approach to getting their information. She warned that politicians, especially at the CNN debate, were quick to jump from reporter to reporter, and that any person involved in the media must be quick on their feet in order to get a chance to speak.

Taylor elaborated that many government representatives go into press conferences saying that they will answer only five questions, or will be leaving the room in ten minutes. It is absolutely crucial to act fast to be heard among the pack of other reporters, she said.