Editor’s note: Mark Fagan, a 34-year-old county reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World in Kansas, is a “converged reporter” — meaning that he not only writes traditional text copy for the 21,000-circulation daily newspaper, he also regularly reports for and appears on the TV news show of a cable channel owned by the same company, 6News Lawrence. While technically on the newspaper payroll, Fagan splits his time between print and television news operations (which are in the same building).
Fagan was trained as a print reporter and worked in newspapers until about three years ago, when as Journal-World business editor he was asked to start appearing regularly on the cable TV news show — with no television training. Thus began his journey into a career where he regularly crosses media platforms.
In this article, Fagan shares the lessons he learned about crossing over to the other side — which he says was easier than most people might expect. As media “convergence” gains ground, more journalists — both in television and at newspapers — will find themselves in positions similar to Fagan’s.
1. Take advantage.
If the company wants you to explore convergence, go for it. Rarely do you get a chance to learn a whole new skill. And think about it: All you’re doing is applying what you already know how to do — report and write — to a new form. It’s a chance to expand your experience and reach a wider audience.Besides, you’ll get a chance to bond with a whole new set of colleagues. It’s also fun to hear from reporters who used to be “competitors” that you smoked them on stories in the past. Working with another group of reporters is almost like getting hired all over again, only you’re not starting at the bottom.
2. Dress the part.
Attention, print folks: Make sure you wear something decent to work. No more un-ironed shirts, stained ties, or bad suits. You don’t want to look like a goof on TV, and you never know when you might be called upon to go on the air. The whole “ink-stained wretch” thing might be romantic in a movie, but the TV folks won’t appreciate you sullying their clean newscast.3. Don’t be afraid.
You’re a reporter. You’re good at it. And your bosses want you to succeed. Why worry? If you’re a print person going on TV, the first time likely will freak you out. But it won’t last long. Pretty soon you’ll be as comfortable talking to the camera as — well — talking to a source, a friend, or even, eventually, an anchor or audience of thousands of people. It’s all about feeling comfortable, and that comes with time and experience.If you’re a TV person writing for print, don’t be intimidated. That’s what I see most from my TV colleagues: They fear that the stuff they do daily for TV somehow doesn’t measure up to the print reporters, who often get to spend more time on a story, talk to more people, and write longer “think” pieces. But TV folks obviously can write, and often they outdo the print folks. TV reporters, I’ve found, often are excellent storytellers and have excellent eyes for detail, given their penchant for digging nat sound (natural background sound) and cutaways off b-roll video (video that enhances or tells the story). If you remember that — and that a print editor is willing to work with you on style details and other standard stuff — you’ll be fine.
4. Learn the basics.
TV and print newsrooms may be in the same building, or even in the same room, but they have distinct personalities. Each side has its own stylebooks, chains of command, deadlines, and the like. Get to know how each side operates, and who the players are. Getting to know the people you need to know, at a minimum, will make you feel better, save you time, and help minimize mistakes.5. Timing is everything.
Print newsrooms too often are focused on one deadline, at night (although, thankfully, this has changed at our place with the immediacy of website postings and the like). The TV folks are doing stuff for the morning show, the Headline News spots, a 6 p.m. newscast, and a 10 p.m. newscast. Translation: The print folks calmly go about their business, while the TV types often run around with tapes and scripts and cameras and everything else. If you’re reporting for both, or crossing into one from the other, be sure to understand when your work has to be done for each. And be sure to keep your editors on both sides informed about your needs and progress. Communication is key.6. Get to know an expert.
When you get pulled into convergence, you may end up with a training manual, or attend a “get-acquainted” seminar. And that’s great. But the best way to learn, I’ve found, is to hook up with a skilled member of the “other” side’s staff.If you’re a print person and want to know how to handle being on TV, go to lunch with an anchor. Or sit in an edit bay when a photographer is cutting a package. Or see how a reporter writes a story for the rundown and the TelePrompTer. Nothing beats one-on-one tutoring or simple observation.
For TV folks writing for print, I’ve found it’s best to explain the editing process. A TV story may get read only once by a news director before it hits the air. TV folks often are surprised — and intimidated — by the long line of content editors, copyeditors, and others who will see and adjust their print copy. Just remember that they’re there to help.