When in Doubt, Talk it Out

We go to the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.  So, this means communication should go hand in hand with journalism.  Through my experience as a producer, I have learned that communication with each and every person is like a domino effect.  If we cannot successfully communicate a concept to a reporter, then they will not ask the right question to get the best answer.  If the producers are not in constant communication with one another, then they will not be able to accurately assign stories to the MJs or web producers. 

In my graphics position yesterday, I realized that I needed to learn the nuts and bolt of the stories added to the rundown in order to write simple, cutlines that could tell the story.  Elisa reminded me yesterday that the OTS graphic and cutline should tell the story if the television was on mute.  This helpful nugget of advice is very crucial.  Communication is not just important in the newsroom; it is important to communicate all the stories to the public in a clear and concise way.  That is the ultimate goal of a news station.  We put on the news to communicate the day’s happenings to the public.  But communication starts much earlier than before we go live.  It could arguably begin the night before as producers are typing out their story lists and package ideas because those sheets helps guide the morning meeting as well as the reporters.  When in doubt, talk it out.