Heat and Light: Advice for the Next Generation of Journalists
In the midst of huge changes in journalism, two veteran reporters offer perspective, sound advice, and encouragement for the next generation of news gatherers. Wallace, with 70 years of experience, most notably with 60 Minutes, and Knobel, journalism professor and former CBS News reporter, draw on their experiences and that of their colleagues to reflect on lessons learned from careers in what is becoming known as old journalism and how they are just as applicable as newsgathering evolves in the digital age. Wallace and Knobel focus on balancing the heat of drama versus the light of information, most particularly vulnerable in television reporting, and offer lessons on generating story ideas, interviewing, writing for different media, and the law and ethics of journalism. They caution that despite the growing popularity of Internet blogs, social networks, and Fox TV, objectivity is still a guiding principle of journalism. In the final chapter, the authors take a look at the future, when most newspapers will no longer print hard copies and technology will drive news coverage. An essential reference guide for younger journalists. --Vanessa Bush