The weekly grind: Reporting news when it’s not so fresh

By Necie Green
NABJ Convention Online Staff

 

Because the majority of black newspapers are not published daily, they face the unique challenge of keeping news timely and interesting to readers. This was the subject of a Black Press Day panel discussion, “Monday’s News, Friday’s Deadlines,” featuring Sharyn Flanagan of the Philadelphia Tribune, freelance journalist Michael Dabney and Joe Boyce, retired senior editor of the Wall Street Journal.

Fia Curley of Hampton, Va., came to the workshop unsure of whether the black press held any opportunities in her field. The recent Ohio University graduate is looking for a company where she can learn and grow, as well as take risks. She never envisioned a black-owned company could provide such opportunities.

“After hearing the panelists I have a renewed sense of the vitality of the black press,” said Curley.

Curley said she learned that there are openings in black news outlets that are succeeding and doing well. The panelists assured her that these companies are looking for eager and hard-working journalists.

“The advice they gave was universal for all journalists,” said Curley, “whether you’re working in a black organization or mainstream daily in Nebraska.”

Although she was initially hesitant about attending the workshop, Curley said she left feeling she made the right choice.

Ethan J. Brisby of Bryan, Texas, also found the workshop helpful. He said he learned tips he hopes to incorporate into his work on the Texas A&M campus newspaper and weekly radio show.

Brisby said he now understands the importance of tackling – not avoiding – tough issues in the black community, and has learned how to “provide a learning opportunity even if you’re being critical.”

He also walked away with knowledge of how to report news that may not be first-day when his radio show airs. Brisby wants to deliver the stories in a way that will be continually helpful to his audience, even if they’ve previously read about the subject.

The Black Press Day activities concluded with the viewing of Stanley Nelson’s, “Soldiers Without Swords,” a historical film depicting the evolution of the black press in America.