The news media will always be criticized, yet praised for its coverage of events and issues. Viewers may have wondered why mainstream media focused so much on Anna Nicole Smith’s death while they also waited to hear the latest update on a possible rapist running loose in the South Bay.
Because of this, newspaper readers and T.V. news viewers who criticize and/or praise news coverage and have never been in this media business may have good suggestions to improving coverage of events and issues, but they have no idea what it’s like to be in this fast-paced business.
Because of my college career at Cal State Long Beach as a former reporter, city editor and editor in chief of the Daily Forty-Niner, I now understand why viewers and readers blame, and at times, depend on the news media for information. My experiences so far have allowed me to see how and why the media has a tough and huge responsibility of informing the public.
I remember the first time I stepped into the newsroom. I was terrified because I didn’t know what to expect. I had never written a news story in my life. But somehow I built up some courage and began an unpredictable journey learning how to inform the public, which was, in this case, students, faculty and staff, about on- and off-campus-related events.
I picked up some story assignments here and there while going to class. I set up interviews in between classes and work, and I was always anxious to see my stories in print. But as the city editor, I actually realized what news was when our adviser almost constantly pushed me to get in-depth news stories in the publication. I questioned whether news was really that important.
Well, when I had four journalism classes that all demanded the same typical writing assignments, worked almost 40 hours a week at another job and wrote stories when reporters flaked, I honestly considered answering “no” to that question.
Fortunately, I didn’t.
But when I was considering the editor in chief position, I actually thought that if I were chosen, I would have the power to improve the newspaper. Our adviser, the journalism department chairman and other journalism professors kept pushing me to take the position, saying it would look great on my résumé and help me gain editorial experience.
Yes, it looks great on my résumé, and I agree that I have gained incredible experience while on staff. But the job was the hardest task I have ever taken on in my entire life.
I enjoyed all of the different personalities on staff. I loved the fact that they were dedicated and actually wanted to be there and make the Daily Forty-Niner better. They had pride in their sections.
But throughout the fall and spring semester, I received a ton of criticism about the paper. I had desperate journalism students begging for stories to get published in the paper just to get extra credit. I had a dedicated staff who demanded more space and needed their stories edited. I spent almost 12 hours a day (yes, 12 hours a day) in the newsroom, also known as “The Dungeon,” putting issues together, especially the Big West issue (thank God the men’s basketball team won the Big West Championship, because it made things a lot easier). I stressed about writers not meeting their deadlines or simply not submitting their stories.
Additionally, being the only African-American editor on staff was a little challenging, especially because there has not been one in years.
Covering the death of CSULB students Angela Reyes and Priscilla Cruces was an important job but not an easy one, especially when I had to call Reyes’ mother for a photo of her daughter. You might ask yourself, “How could you ask someone for a photo of her child who died?” I asked myself that same question, but because of the importance of the story and my position, it was something that had to be done. Fortunately, Reyes’ mother was willing to give us a photo.
Many other situations occurred during my time as editor. However, because of these everyday stresses in The Dungeon, it really gave me the opportunity to see what managers experience. It taught me how to lead a staff. It showed me how to run a publication. I learned how to be responsible.
Believe me, it was not easy. But again, I learned so much.
During the entire school year, I asked myself, “What did I get myself into?” But now that I have come to the end of my college career, I look back and I thank my adviser, the journalism department chairman and journalism professors who pushed me or “set me up” for this job (I think our adviser knows what I am referring to).
I am glad I received all of those criticisms about the paper. I am pleased that those desperate journalism students worked my nerves about getting published in the newspaper. I am happy that I was the only African-American on staff.
And I thank the Lord for getting me through this tough, yet exciting experience.
You may be asking “why?” The reason is strength. Because of these occurrences, I am stronger, more patient and more open-minded, which will help me in the real world.
With everything I have learned, I will use those skills in the professional market and I hope to succeed after leaving the Daily Forty-Niner and CSULB. I hope future editors and staff members will take all that I have said and absorb it, because they are going on a wild ride that is just beginning now.
Go Beach!
Starr T. Balmer is a graduating senior journalism major and editor in chief for the Daily Forty-Niner.
