Comments on: Journalism Wants Pitcher to Be the Catcher Too http://pjnet.org/post/1628/ Public Journalism Network Mon, 20 Jun 2011 21:59:16 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Journalism Wants Pitcher to Be the Catcher Too (Comment thread) – PJNet | Invisible Inkling http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-12308 Journalism Wants Pitcher to Be the Catcher Too (Comment thread) – PJNet | Invisible Inkling Fri, 14 Jan 2011 14:42:20 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-12308 [...] Journalism Wants Pitcher to Be the Catcher Too (Comment thread) – PJNet [...] [...] Journalism Wants Pitcher to Be the Catcher Too (Comment thread) – PJNet [...]

]]> By: Digital Journalism | Open Beat http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-12231 Digital Journalism | Open Beat Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:56:59 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-12231 [...] One of Mr. Witt’s colleagues weighed in on the topic of expectations of freshly minted journalism graduates.   Journalism consultant Paul Conley says that not being able to multitask with multimedia will make you a misfit in the newsroom of today.  Here is what he says: [...] [...] One of Mr. Witt’s colleagues weighed in on the topic of expectations of freshly minted journalism graduates.   Journalism consultant Paul Conley says that not being able to multitask with multimedia will make you a misfit in the newsroom of today.  Here is what he says: [...]

]]> By: Innovation in College Media » Blog Archive » What if you just want to be a writer? http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-5604 Innovation in College Media » Blog Archive » What if you just want to be a writer? Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:34:55 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-5604 [...] discussion going on at Len Witt’s Public Journalism Network blog, inspired by his post: Journalism wants pitcher to be catcher too. Be sure to read the comments, and also Rob Curley’s follow-up piece: I’m not sure [...] [...] discussion going on at Len Witt’s Public Journalism Network blog, inspired by his post: Journalism wants pitcher to be catcher too. Be sure to read the comments, and also Rob Curley’s follow-up piece: I’m not sure [...]

]]> By: landscape with natural stone http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-3944 landscape with natural stone Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:39:41 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-3944 <strong>landscape with natural stone...</strong> I never knew that things like that really happen, thanks for your post.... landscape with natural stone…

I never knew that things like that really happen, thanks for your post….

]]> By: SÉRENDIPITÉ http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-3363 SÉRENDIPITÉ Mon, 03 Dec 2007 22:01:33 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-3363 [...] Journalism wants pitcher to be the catcher too. [...] [...] Journalism wants pitcher to be the catcher too. [...]

]]> By: Joe http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-3092 Joe Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:18:34 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-3092 As a current journalism student, soon to graduate, I've followed this conversation eagerly. But, I can't say it's been too informative. I hear this same discussion in class and in the halls between classes, at beat meetings, eating lunch, on discussion boards, etc. Teachers always telling students what they should or should not do. As if they really knew anything. Professionals telling you to follow path "x" which happens to be eerily like the path they themselves followed. As one student to another, this discussion is important and it's important to realize that. After that, walk away. If you want to learn video, learn it. If you want to write, write. If you want to do it all, do it all. But, don't do something just because you think it will get you a job. In the first place, you won't learn the skill well and, in the second place, you won't like the job you get. The only decent advice any instructor or professional has ever given me is: 1. When in doubt, do the least passive thing. 2. Be confident that you can always start again from nothing. And learn to enjoy it. The rest is...well, you've read this far. How much of that will actually get you along in life? As a current journalism student, soon to graduate, I’ve followed this conversation eagerly. But, I can’t say it’s been too informative. I hear this same discussion in class and in the halls between classes, at beat meetings, eating lunch, on discussion boards, etc. Teachers always telling students what they should or should not do. As if they really knew anything. Professionals telling you to follow path “x” which happens to be eerily like the path they themselves followed.
As one student to another, this discussion is important and it’s important to realize that. After that, walk away. If you want to learn video, learn it. If you want to write, write. If you want to do it all, do it all. But, don’t do something just because you think it will get you a job. In the first place, you won’t learn the skill well and, in the second place, you won’t like the job you get.

The only decent advice any instructor or professional has ever given me is: 1. When in doubt, do the least passive thing. 2. Be confident that you can always start again from nothing. And learn to enjoy it. The rest is…well, you’ve read this far. How much of that will actually get you along in life?

]]> By: J’s Notes » Blog Archive » pjnet: Journalism Wants Pitcher to Be the Catcher Too http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-3075 J’s Notes » Blog Archive » pjnet: Journalism Wants Pitcher to Be the Catcher Too Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:57:57 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-3075 [...] Witt has started a great conversation over at PJNet’s blog about what is required of reporter writers: Think of any position on the field; who would want the pitcher to be the catcher too? But that’s [...] [...] Witt has started a great conversation over at PJNet’s blog about what is required of reporter writers: Think of any position on the field; who would want the pitcher to be the catcher too? But that’s [...]

]]> By: Leonard Witt http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-2983 Leonard Witt Fri, 09 Nov 2007 16:55:09 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-2983 Well it seems like this thread has played itself out -- some 8,000 words later from close to 20 very smart contributors. My take away message: Words, even a lot of them, and writing will rule everything we do, so our students have to know how to use them. The more they learn about collecting information and using words and writing in all kinds of formats the better off they will be. It is probably a good idea to specialize in one of those formats. Along with that mastery, they will need to show some proof that they can be a player in the digital world. Well it seems like this thread has played itself out — some 8,000 words later from close to 20 very smart contributors.

My take away message:

Words, even a lot of them, and writing will rule everything we do, so our students have to know how to use them. The more they learn about collecting information and using words and writing in all kinds of formats the better off they will be. It is probably a good idea to specialize in one of those formats. Along with that mastery, they will need to show some proof that they can be a player in the digital world.

]]> By: John Russial http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-2950 John Russial Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:42:43 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-2950 A very interesting discussion. I too feel that students and professional journalists should be open to learning new skills and should have the opportunity to explore different platforms or learn new skills. But I'm also in favor of their developing a real specialization (or maybe two) and try, as Beau Dure says, to learn complementary skills. There's a good reason why you don't find many reporters doubling as copy editors and designers doubling as photojournalists. At least not at medium- to large-size papers. Specialists on the whole do better work. For many professionals, doing something well is often its own reward, and in a field that is not the best for worldly rewards these days, that's something. I've also wondered why some folks think multi-skilling/multi-tasking is the only approach that makes financial sense. In some ways, specialization can be more efficient. I remember when "pagination" appeared in larger newspapers. Soon we had design desks full of page design/pagination specialists. The result was better design at lower cost than the alternative--retraining and providing technology to all of the copy editors who used to do "layout." I'm not saying the situation is exactly the same these days, but there are parallels. If you occasionally put together an audio slide show or a Flash package, you need to reinvent the wheel each time. Some one, say a producer, who does it often does it faster and probably better. A very interesting discussion. I too feel that students and professional journalists should be open to learning new skills and should have the opportunity to explore different platforms or learn new skills. But I’m also in favor of their developing a real specialization (or maybe two) and try, as Beau Dure says, to learn complementary skills.
There’s a good reason why you don’t find many reporters doubling as copy editors and designers doubling as photojournalists. At least not at medium- to large-size papers. Specialists on the whole do better work. For many professionals, doing something well is often its own reward, and in a field that is not the best for worldly rewards these days, that’s something.
I’ve also wondered why some folks think multi-skilling/multi-tasking is the only approach that makes financial sense. In some ways, specialization can be more efficient. I remember when “pagination” appeared in larger newspapers. Soon we had design desks full of page design/pagination specialists. The result was better design at lower cost than the alternative–retraining and providing technology to all of the copy editors who used to do “layout.” I’m not saying the situation is exactly the same these days, but there are parallels. If you occasionally put together an audio slide show or a Flash package, you need to reinvent the wheel each time. Some one, say a producer, who does it often does it faster and probably better.

]]> By: Beau Dure http://pjnet.org/post/1628/comment-page-1/#comment-2945 Beau Dure Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:25:09 +0000 http://pjnet.org/post/1628/#comment-2945 Len - I agree with Bryan, but I'd add something else -- length has nothing to do with quality. I'm reminded of that in the name of one of my favorite blogs, "Brevity is ... wit." My writing is usually hammered into tight spaces, especially now that I'm writing for USA TODAY's print edition on a regular basis. Getting all the parts to fit in a 14-inch story is a difficult process, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't pull my hair out at times! But the final result, more often than not, is superior to what I would've produced with unlimited space. I appreciate the longer pieces. I grew up reading Rolling Stone and Musician, and I often find compelling reads in SI, ESPN's magazine, Wired, Washington Post magazine, etc. But I can also appreciate those who use an economy of words, particularly in a fragmented media landscape. (If only I could do it in my blog comments!) Len -

I agree with Bryan, but I’d add something else — length has nothing to do with quality. I’m reminded of that in the name of one of my favorite blogs, “Brevity is … wit.”

My writing is usually hammered into tight spaces, especially now that I’m writing for USA TODAY’s print edition on a regular basis. Getting all the parts to fit in a 14-inch story is a difficult process, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t pull my hair out at times! But the final result, more often than not, is superior to what I would’ve produced with unlimited space.

I appreciate the longer pieces. I grew up reading Rolling Stone and Musician, and I often find compelling reads in SI, ESPN’s magazine, Wired, Washington Post magazine, etc. But I can also appreciate those who use an economy of words, particularly in a fragmented media landscape.

(If only I could do it in my blog comments!)

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