John Bednarowski, 52
Sports Editor, Marietta Daily Journal, Marietta, GA First journalism job: Sportswriter/ editor for The UAB Kaleidoscope (the University of Alabama at Birmingham) during 2000. What are some of the most important lessons you have learned working in the news industry?
The most important lessons are grounded in the fundamentals. You don’t have to be an expert, but be a good listener. If you don’t understand a response, then ask for clarification. It’s simple. If you try to fake your way through an interview, the interviewee and readers will recognize your obfuscation, and it will damage your credibility. Take good notes. Don’t rely on a voice recorder because eventually, it will fail. However, notes plus a recording will result in a better, more efficient story. Maybe, the important lesson is to read more than you write. You can always learn by reading. When you find writers you enjoy reading, you can borrow the techniques you like the most until you find your voice. What are your predictions for the future of news publishing?
I often joke that social media will be the end of civilization as we know it, although I’m only half kidding. Social media has done much damage to the reputation of news outlets and has made it more challenging to determine which stories are true, which are false, and which are complete garbage. However, I’m convinced the problems with social media will eventually bring people back to traditional and verifiable news outlets, albeit likely in a completely digital form. We have evolved from being reporters and editors to become photographers, videographers, podcast hosts and recorders, newsletter publishers and salespeople. It is all about proving our worth to our readers, viewers and listeners. As a sports editor, I’ve come to believe you must consider your ad rep as your best friend. As much as it pained me at first, sponsored content with strong editorial control is good for the paper, readers and the sponsor, and it helps to keep us employed.