Comments on: Don’t let it go without saying: Reporting skill still matters, always will

By: Knowledge of computer-assisted reporting preferred : William M. Hartnett

Knowledge of computer-assisted reporting preferred : William M. Hartnett — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:53:51 +0000

[...] Let’s not forget that reporting skill still matters, particularly as we rush to sign up for the A.V. Club. [...]

By: Will Sullivan's Journerdism » Web 3.0 defined; 10 questions for Rob Curley; What the video experts are doing; Free the iPhone, all phones; Michael Moore movie about the media?

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:23:29 +0000

[...] Don’t let it go without saying: Reporting skill still matters, always will “However, those skills must be cultivated by working under the guidance of experienced practitioners. If we continue to devalue journalism and reporting by leaving it out of the conversation on the future of newspapers, we run the risk of losing one of our great franchises, and the main attribute that, to me, makes the industry worth saving in the first place: Public service reporting that rights wrongs both large and small and makes our communities a better place.” [...]

By: The Journalism Iconoclast

The Journalism Iconoclast — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 18:56:54 +0000

[...] Reporting is important and it always will be No matter how much I stress the importance that journalists need to learn Web and new media skills, there is one thing I will always mention: reporting skills are a must. The world will always need people who can work leads and cultivate sources. That’s a given. [...]

By: Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Reporting skills. Duh.

Notes from a Teacher: Mark on Media » Reporting skills. Duh. — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 00:20:09 +0000

[...] Hartnett’s post Don’t let it go without saying: Reporting skill still matters, always will, starts of this way: Does the need for fundamental reporting skill go without saying when folks in [...]

By: Martin Stabe » links for 2007-07-17

Martin Stabe » links for 2007-07-17 — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:23:39 +0000

[...] William M. Hartnett: Don’t let it go without saying: Reporting skill still matters, always will “Yes, you should study up on audio, video and, if you’re so inclined, a bit of code, while you’re at it. But please don’t think those skills replace more traditional knowledge.” (tags: journalism multimedia education) [...]

By: William M. Hartnett

William M. Hartnett — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:50:03 +0000

Thanks for the comment.

I don’t see the two statements as a contradiction. Tiger Woods clearly was born with inherent talent, but someone still had to put a golf club in his hands and teach him how to swing. Nevertheless, no amount of instruction from Butch Harmon himself is ever going to make me a great golfer, or even a particularly competent one.

By: Bryan Murley

Bryan Murley — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:37:10 +0000

it is definitely impossible to train someone to be a great investigative or enterprising reporter. You either have the ability, intelligence and tenacity, or you don’t. Fact. Period.

Disagree. In fact, you contradict this statement with the very next paragraph: “However, those skills must be cultivated by working under the guidance of experienced practitioners.” Where do these people become great investigative or enterprising reporters? They go to school. They learn how to write quality ledes, how to pursue sources, unpack public records, etc.

One does not drop out of the womb with the skills necessary to be a Bob Woodward or a John Allman.

Still, I agree with your main point that reporting skills are important.