What do we do when this pandemic is all over? Why it’s not too early to start planning transition coverage.

by Beth Johnson | May 26, 2020 | App Articles, Source Building, Survival Kit, The Latest

I recently posted an article on lessons learned while covering the midwestern flood of ’93. It was an intense time for much of the region. We lived and breathed coverage for months. But luckily for me I had a news director who also understood that we had to help the...

The Best Job Security A Reporter Can Have

by Beth Johnson | Feb 22, 2015 | App Articles, Reporting, Source Building, Survival Kit

The best job security a reporter can have comes down to one word. Sources. Time and time again I hear about the “untouchable” reporter in a newsroom who can’t ad lib, can’t write, can’t dress, can’t get along with people, yet cannot be fired. The reason, sources. The...

Is Enterprising Stories A News Philosophy?

by Beth Johnson | Apr 16, 2014 | App Articles, Source Building, Survival Kit

Recently I addressed the importance of defining your news philosophy to end up in a station where you can really flourish.  When I ask journalists to define their philosophy the most common answer I get is “enterprising stories.”  Let’s consider that for a minute....

LinkedIn: How to guide to finding sources and exclusives.

by Beth Johnson | Sep 12, 2013 | Social Awareness, Source Building

For years, LinkedIn has just been an online placeholder for my résumé. I didn’t really think about it much and rarely went on there. However, two things recently happened to change my view of the site. The first was when my news director assigned me to do an...

Do Journalists Need To Be Entrepreneurs Or Just Really Good At Building Sources?

by Beth Johnson | Sep 5, 2013 | App Articles, Source Building, Survival Kit

This year and last, the Knight Foundation has brought up the idea of using the “teaching hospital” model in j-schools to properly prepare journalists.  Last year, an“Open Letter to American University Presidents” called for a “teaching hospital” style curriculum. This...

Own the night. Finding and executing stories night side.

by Beth Johnson | Oct 22, 2012 | App Articles, Reporting, Source Building, Survival Kit

This article idea came from a reporter on Facebook who recently moved to night side.  If you have ever worked this shift, you already know what he asked.  How do you find stories, much less break news, night side when everyone you’re calling wants to just go home for...