Telling True Stories II

I am enjoying every page of this book. It is rich with its tips and advice, yet in a way that I did not find in other journalism books that I read during my study. With these brilliant and different writers, journalists and authors, I get a pleasant surprise of their ideas and writings in every article.

Source: ridgerunning.com

Jan Winburn: 

is a senior editor for enterprise at CNN digital. She is an award- winning writer who got:

1. Pulitzer Prize for featuring writing.
2. Ernie Pyle Award for Human Interest Writing
3. ASNE Award for Non-Deadline Writing.

The editor’s questions that she emphasized in her article were useful and informative. However, two main questions drew my attention and interest, as I do not see them being used or implemented in many news organizations nowadays which make some stories half- told. Therefore, the truth is missing.

• What truism is being presented in the news, and does heading in the opposite direction suggest a story?
• Is there an untold background tale?

I remembered the conflict between the East and the West when I read these specific questions. I get the weirdest questions about how the Arabs thinks or feel about the West. Interestingly, all Western media promote certain stereotypes, which people never stop and think about. They just hear them, believe them and then act accordingly.
Following what I read in the articles, there were tips from different authors that reporters must go wherever the story takes them. This is how you know the truth and report it; by going to both sides and asking questions.
When you do not hear the other voice, you must know that this is not the truth and that you are missing something. Therefore, that is what I am aiming for, to go wherever the story takes me and fully report it. Not to allow biases, or to follow trends, gossips and stereotypes. That is what I owe to my profession, my readers and myself.

 

Source: outsideonline.com

Ted Conover:

is an author and a journalist. “He writes about real people by living their own lives,” as he described himself on his blog.

 

 

Although it might seem extreme for some journalists, going as far as sending your self to prison might be required to get the truth. Not every reporter would need to do that, but depending on what you are covering, you should go wherever the action is. Get the story from its original sources no matter how long it takes you.