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Personal News Gathering Process….

This week I had stories that lent themselves to man on the street interviews. I had plenty of challenges getting people to talk, but when you get someone to give you a great sound bite there are few things more rewarding.

I did a story on local’s reaction to Herman Cain’s 9-9-9 tax plan. I got video from his debate and an interview from business professor, but then had to get some random interviews. I went to downtown Columbia and people were hesitant to talk to me. I went to coffee shops and stood on street corners asking for interviews. I got about 5 interviews and had no one who was for the new tax system. Just as I was about to pack up and head to the station I found a man who was in favor of the 9-9-9 plan and got some great sound. I was so happy I stayed for the extra half hour and finally found what my story needed to be balanced.

I did another story this past week on how smartphones can assist with holiday shopping. I needed to interview shoppers on how they used their smartphones if at all. I had no less trouble this time, because I learned from the Herman Cain story. It is like anything in life, increase your numbers and you will increase your odds. It’s all about asking a bunch of people and hoping a few of those say yes.

Journalistic Reflection…

I’m tired and sick of sex scandals. After this past week they may need to create a government agency to keep track of Sandusky’s and Cain’s sexual assault victims. The news today cannot seem to get enough of these stories and they follow them until the bitter end it seems. When I did my Herman Cain story I got so many people surprised that I wasn’t doing a story on his sexual harassment charge. About half the people I talked to knew about the 9-9-9 plan, but everyone knew about his sex scandal. I wish more media would cover more policies of candidates instead of these negative stories.

U New @ 4 on Halloween

Blog

Personal Newsgathering Process…

This week I debuted one of my favorite characters “Where’s Bondo.” This is an idea I have had for a long time and always wanted to do, but never found the right time. This week I was lucky enough to do a live shot for the U News @ 4 show on Halloween. Local Fulton businesses and organizations held a trick-or-treat event in the afternoon on Halloween. That is where I did my live shot via skype and I went in costume. I sold my producers on the idea and went in a “Where’s Waldo” costume. This was a great experience and not something I get to do everyday.

Days like Monday are why I am a journalist. I hate monotony in anything and especially in a job. Journalism may make me go gray early, but I will never tell the same story twice. I love the excitement of coming into the newsroom and having no idea what the day may bring me. If I do have expectations for the day they are usually off base. Some days it goes as plan and those are nice too, but I’ll never stray away from an adventure.

Journalistic Reflection…

It is almost an oxymoron to get news from Comedy Central, but John Stuart and Steven Colbert do some legitimate reporting. One of John Stuart’s correspondents, Wyatt Cenac, did a story this week on how a bill does not become a law. Wyatt focused on HB 3472 which gave insurance decreases to those who exercised. This seems like a bill that everyone would be behind. That however was not the case. Kathy Dalhkemper sponsored the bill that never made it out of committee. The American Caner Society, America Diabetes Association and American Heart Association opposed the bill, because people the organizations represented could not make lifestyle changes to have a healthier life. Once these organizations heard wind of the bill it died within a week.

I don’t know how often things like this happen in Washington, but I would guess more times than it’s reported. This is great journalism and it seems funny that Comedy Central was the only place I heard the story. Kathy was even discouraged by the opposing associations to not go on the show, but she did anyway. This is the kind of journalism I would like to seem in the mainstream media.

To see the story follow this link:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-october-31-2011/how-a-bill-doesn-t-become-a-law