Journalism next year in college?

Question

I go to a 1A school so there's not really any classes in journalism at my school (except yearbook, and well.. that doesn't have much to do with it) but I want to pursue a career in journalism and i'm probably going to take classes in it next year at college. Is there anything I can be doing on my own to practice/better myself in journalism-type writing?

Answer 1

Read Noam Chomsky about US foreign policy. It will make you realize that we do not hear the truth from major media in the US. Real and important stories are being down played and given government and corporate spin.

There is a lot you can do. I would make sure to get to the truth and create your own web site that contains your writings about current events and things that you are passionate about.

To self-publish, all you need is an Internet service provider and acquaintanceship with Microsoft Word (export to HTML).

Answer 2

You might write letters to the editor to your local papers on subjects of importance to you, making sure you research the facts fully, so you can offer a cognizant approach.

Read books  by journalists, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, Ted Koppel, Helen Thomas, Lesley Stahl about how they became journalists and what they did.

Rent Good Night and Good Luck about Edward R. Murrow, it's a movie starring George Clooney, then there's the Insider about the tobacco industry and CBS news. Network and All the president's men  are good movies to rent and All the President's Men is a great book to read about Watergate. Start reading William F. Buckley's books or magazines like the National Review, Harper's  Time , Newsweek.

Learn about other countries like Canada , Mexico,  Great Britain, China  Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, North and South Korea.

You can look for news from there in their newspapers or watch those countries'  news programs on your computer.

Start learning a second, third or fourth language which might benefit you as you take journalism classes, however major in something else besides journalism- history, politics, business, sciences, economics, bio-ethics, health studies, fashion , entertainment because as a young journalist you will cover all of these  areas and more. Learn to write well and communicate so the average Joe and Jane in your hometown can understand it.  Remember you're the " teacher" when it comes to whatever areas you cover.

Get really familiar with the US Constitution and what each ammendment means .

Take a leaf from the late Tim Russert's life, do your research, ask tough questions, don't do gotcha journalism where there is an obvious partianship. But also be kind , genial, have authenticity and integrity when you interview people .

When you get into college join the college newspaper or the college radio station, experiences there will teach you a lot.