November 2012
Panel members hosted by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA) shared inside information and stories from their experiences in the industry with SAIT journalism students.
At noon on Friday Nov. 16, about 80 journalism students gathered in Room R112 in the Senator Burns Building to listen to a panel of four professionals from various newspapers and magazines speak about the importance of research.
“I think research gives you that opportunity to say okay, this is not about me, it’s about this person I’m interviewing,” said Sandra Wiebe. “What do they know, what can they offer and what can I offer my readers that I may have learned myself,” she said.
Sandra Wiebe shared her perspective regarding the importance of research as the founder, CEO and publisher of Routes Media Inc.
She said it is important for writers to make sure they do their research in order to put their biases behind them, and that writers are typically using what they know in life and their own education and experiences to write a story.
Debra Cummings, award-winning writer and editor-in-chief of WestJet’s inflight magazine, up!, told students that travel is part of her value system and she finds it gratifying that she has been able to incorporate it into her professional life.
She said that lack of research can start with a lousy pitch revealing no story, angle or anchor on a new trend.
“There is way too much boosterism in travel,” she said.
Cummings said the pitches she reads thoroughly and that really work for her are an expression of really good writing with tone and style that match the magazine.
It shows that the journalist has obviously done research into the magazine ahead of time and is impressive, she said.
“From an editor’s point of view, I am looking for that right from the start,” said Cummings.
John Barlow, editor and associate publisher of the Western Wheel weekly newspaper in Okotoks, provided his insights from a news writer’s perspective.
Barlow graduated from SAIT in the early-90s and has been in the newspaper industry since.
“At a community newspaper you are asked be a jack of all trades,” he said.
“Maybe not an expert on anything, but to be very knowledgeable in many things,” he said.
There are three reasons why research is important as a reporter, said Barlow.
Stories are in the details, and reporters have to glean the most important information from their research, he said.
He advised students to do research beforehand in order to go into an interview having a good working knowledge of the issue they are interviewing their subject about.
He said there is a reputation on the line with publications, and it only takes one huge mistake to ruin a newspaper’s reputation.
The only strength a newspaper has especially, is its readers trust, said Barlow.
As a reporter, not conducting proper research will erode the reader’s trust and in turn lose those reader’s, he said.
Barlow spoke about the importance of establishing a network of contacts and being involved in the community, as it will help when conducting research and finding sources for a story.
Evan Osenton, editor of Alberta Views magazine, said that research is a writers “licence to write.” A thought can be written down and reflected upon, but it only contributes so much or goes so far, he said.
The more research writers conduct, the more authority they have, he said. Anyone can write and publish something on a blog, but there is more to it if a journalist wants to work for a newspaper or magazine, he said.
“That research is what gives you that licence,” said Osenton.
Sometimes research comes from lived experience, academic or professional experience or expertise, he said. They are equally legitimate and they all produce different stories, he said.
First-year journalism student Taylor Quinn said she really enjoyed the presentation and found it insightful.
“I liked that they all kind of had a different role in the industry,” she said.