Journalism fundamentals still key, editor says

The new crop of journalists needs to have the latest multimedia skills, a newspaper editor advises. But, more importantly, they need to know the fundamentals: critical thinking and fairness.

"The best thing an aspiring journalist can do is learn about audience needs and become an expert in numerous multimedia applications – video, web programming, etc.," Stu Shinske, executive editor of the Poughkeepsie Journal, recently told CubReporters.org.

"The key, however, is the ability to analytically think….they need to know how to distill information quickly, think on their feet, ask the right questions at the right time, and learn how to check personal preferences, biases and agendas at the door. Their skills will mean nothing if they’re not, first and foremost, objective…"

From time to time, I like to ask journalism experts and practitioners what tips they have for young journalists. Check out CubReporters.org's expanded journalism advice section for more insight from experts.

-Mark Grabowski