Editor & Publisher

Lindsey Leake, 34 Projects Reporter, Tcpalm (USA TODAY Network)

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Italian with concentrations in journalism, intercultural communication and a certificate in translation, Princeton University; Master of Arts in Science Writing, Johns Hopkins University; Master of Arts in Journalism and Digital Storytelling, American University

What advice do you have for other young professionals in the news industry?

Think about why you chose a career in journalism or, if you’re feeling romantic, why it beckoned to you. Bottle that heart, drive and purpose for those inevitable rainy days when you’ll stumble. Use them as armor against naysayers who doubt the future of news, as a salve to soothe the chaos of the rapidly changing media landscape, and as a beacon to see you through challenging projects.

And while on-the-job training is invaluable, I encourage you to seek continuing education opportunities at every turn. This could be as big a step as pursuing a graduate degree in a media-related field or as simple as learning a new software program or attending a writing workshop at your local library. Media organizations, such as the Association of Health Care Journalists and the National Association of Science Writers, offer a wealth of free and low-cost fellowships and training — many of which are geared toward early-career journalists.

What do you think news publishers can do to counter misinformation and increase trust in media?

If you’re ticking someone off, you’re doing your job well, so the saying goes in our line of work. We’re used to holding the powerful accountable, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated public distrust in media. Our pursuit and reporting of the truth too often fall through the cracks. Increased transparency on our part — from producing more digestible explanatory coverage to publishing fact-checking content — may help.

However, when the news industry is tangled up in bottom lines and subscriptions and audience engagement, I believe refocusing on the craft of storytelling is our best hope for building a bridge back to media consumers. News publishing is a business, but one whose job is to provide more than information. We’re storytellers first and foremost, with a multitude of modern media at our fingertips through which we can herald this ancient art.

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2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

2023-02-01T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://editorandpublisher.pressreader.com/article/281977496761115

Editor and Publisher