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Facebook. Twitter. Blogs.
Technology changes the face of journalism every day, no longer giving aspiring reporters the luxury of becoming narrow specialists or doing the same job their predecessors did, according to experienced New York City sports reporter, Sam Borden.
“Be available, be willing to do anything, and work hard at finding connections,” Borden told a Fairfield University’s News Writing class Sept. 26.
Just a few years ago, Borden said he would collect information all day, and then post a single news story at night for the next day’s newspaper. That kind of delay of information to the public would be unacceptable in 2011.
Instead, journalists are expected to immediately tweet, post information on Facebook or upload an audio clipping. With these demands, Borden said that it is essential for journalists to be versatile and utilize all forms of social media.
“Always be thinking, ‘what else can I add to my skill set?’” Borden advised. The incremental process of journalism, visible to the public, puts a new pressure on journalists. Borden explained, “You have to be fast because you have to be first…but you also have to be right.”
Journalists must develop thick skin, according to Borden, knowing that criticism is part of the trade. One way to avoid controversy is to steer clear of conflict of interest. “The ultimate passion is the craft, not the subject,” states Borden.
Borden graduated from Emory University with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Jewish Studies. Originally, he expected to teach English to high school or college students after graduation.
Instead, by April 2002, he was named a sports reporter for the New York Daily News, and as of August 2011, Borden is a sports reporter for The New York Times.
Ultimately, Borden advises students “Don’t be afraid of your own voice.” He encourages writers to stick to their style and adapt to a journalist lifestyle working to “be great every single day.”
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