The Heart and Soul of Journalism

The cycle of retaliation has clouded the pursuit of pure journalism for most of my career as a media professional. Some of that has come from corporate politics, editorials, endorsing candidates, or being influenced by advertisers. New forms of journalism have added entertainment to the occupation. George Plimpton, as the "participatory journalist," talk radio, personality-driven journalism, and reality shows have tainted our field. Investigative reporting from Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein set a different standard for journalism that, in the long run, proved that the goal of tearing down people, skepticism, and even filing lawsuits are the tools in a reporter's toolbox.

One of the biggest challenges to journalism is citizen journalism. In the first part of this century, with the advent of social media, untrained voices have the ability to post unchecked claims, becoming "influencers" on subjects they have an opinion on. And now comes Artificial Intelligence, which is an aggregator of all things on the internet. The takeaway here is that journalism, as an avenue of pursuing the truth in the story, is in an erosive state and not evolving.

Breakthrough by Asking the Right Questions

In business and in media creation, there is a system for developing stories, projects, products, and services. Alex Osborn — the "O" in the advertising agency BBDO (Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn) — invented the brainstorm in the 1930s. Osborn's idea was to focus on quantity, no criticism (no bad ideas in a brainstorm), welcome wild ideas — out of the box — and combine (mash) ideas in collaboration. Many of these ideas are free-thought, fun exercises, and yet have proven to be less successful than playing the horses. Although some of the process can be used in steering and training the brain!

Brainsteering — Editorial, Stories

Story Guide

Set tight rules in reporting stories. Tell the story, pick up the phone, and talk directly with the source.

Unique Perspective

Many call this using an angle. Focus on exact details and communities, budgets, economics, and individual human impact.

Collaboration

As an independent journalist, work with colleagues and interview news sources. Don't depend solely on the publicist's account — discuss it with people who are impacted: victims, victim advocates, community leaders, and law enforcement. Business leaders, educational leaders, and entrepreneurs in the community and perspective to the story.

Cultivation of Ideas

Ronald Reagan kept an index file of jokes and humorous stories. Develop a system to create ideas, develop stories, or find solutions to challenges. Go through the index regularly and share the ideas when relevant.

Endeavor

Most endeavors are technical for a media professional — perhaps a better communications tool, a better way to be mobile, a new way to sketch out a story, interview, or journal. Be entrepreneurial in training journalists, or in gaining support and sponsorship for your craft.

Service

Journalists, above all, serve their communities. Criticize privately and praise publicly. Don't be a gossip columnist — be an accessible servant leader in reporting the truth in the story. Organic objectivity means being real and having the objective of getting the story right, not being the story.

Soul and Spirit

Not too many of us go into journalism for the money — and it is a dangerous occupation at times. It is important to continually revive your soul and create an integral quality-of-life statement and core values review. It is also a key renewal to ignite the creative spirit in yourself and others, to stay mentally and physically healthy.

Through Sound Century Academy of Recording Arts and Broadcasting, we are training the Next Generation of Breakthru Journalists through our BreakThru studios and newsrooms, online, on site and on air. Richard Arnold Beattie is the Founder and expert in Organic and Original Journalism. He has started training for Core-Respondents in media and arts in Southern Colorado and training community journalists. Email Richardbeattie809@gmail.com for an application and to get started.