Last Updated: May 26, 1999
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The ASNE Reporter
Convention newspaper gets me ready for more
Thrill of coming to Washington faded as we worked,
ate, slept and lived journalism; most can’t wait to do it at a ‘real newspaper’
By Michael Vega
The call from Veronica Jennings came at 8:25 a.m., telling me I was
to be among 17 journalism students chosen from across the nation to be
part of The ASNE Reporter staff.
Jennings, ASNE’s diversity director, helped choose staffers from around
the country for the convention newspaper.
That morning I was thrilled about the opportunities and challenges that
awaited me. Then reality set in. I was about to work with the nation’s
top newspaper editors and journalists. The bosses and managers from papers
that set the trends in American journalism. No pressures here.
Most of us came prepared. We brought our stylebooks, dictionaries, laptops,
suits, ties, and even our good-luck charms. We were ready for the challenges
but somewhat apprehensive about meeting those so-called editors.
Slowly we were introduced to the Reporter’s editors: Michael Quintanilla,
Peter Hong (both of the Los Angeles Times), Dahleen Glanton (Chicago Tribune)
and others. They quickly gave us support, and told us that editors are
"real people." This quickly developed into a mentoring relationship, inspiring
and coaching us in our reporting and editing. For many of us, this was
our first real test as journalists. We were anxious and yet excited about
our stories and the challenges we where about to encounter.
The ASNE Reporter was to be our home away from home. Over day-old coffee,
scribbled notepads and half-eaten doughnuts, we were committed to meeting
our deadlines while trying to network with some of our potential bosses.
We were encouraged to think and cover speakers and events with a creative
and professional attitude. During those days at the Reporter, we explored
our strengths and ambitions as well as our weaknesses by eating, drinking
and sleeping journalism.
On the morning of the first issue, many of us cautiously entered the
newsroom and picked up The ASNE Reporter. We quickly checked our bylines
to see if they were spelled right, then skimmed the article for major changes
and smiled. Our general sentiment was of personal success. Our anxieties
soon vanished, while our enthusiasm and passion for journalism was elevated.
Before the ASNE convention, we thought our professors had given us every
lesson about journalism, but we learned that there was more to journalism
than just reporting the news. As we interviewed editors and talked about
the issues facing the media, we realized the impact of accurate journalism
in our communities as well as the ethical dilemmas editors face every day.
Downsizing, low minority representation, low morale in newsrooms and
controversial legislation are changing the face of journalism. We realized
that as future journalists, we must be more informed of the changes and
issues that affect our profession. We must focus our attention on our readers
and protect our journalistic freedom.
The discussions of the current state of journalism followed us to our
hotel and into the wee hours of the morning. We sat in our pajamas and
talked about the possible changes we can bring. We talked about racial
and political changes to journalism. Then we shared our reporting stories
and our mistakes.
We bonded. But we also discovered ourselves.
This Washington adventure strengthened our desire to be journalists.
We came out more confident and more secure of our futures. Many of the
17 who got the call that morning are now heading toward summer internships
and jobs. The ASNE Reporter was a learning experience for all of us and
gave us confidence in pursuing our journalism career, to provide a voice
and affect our nation through words.
Vega, a student at the University of Texas at Arlington was a reporter
for The ASNE Reporter.
