What do Frederick Douglass, Thomas Jefferson, John Milton, Jonathan Swift, George Orwell, Ronald Reagan, and Peggy Noonan have in common?
Aside from all achieving considerable renown, each began in journalism.
Attendees of this week’s CCA on “American Journalism, Yesterday & Today” heard much about journalism: How its Founding Era character both contrasts and compares with journalism today; the qualities necessary for both good journalism and good journalists; the presence and effects of bias; the relationship between journalists, society, and government; and what the future will bring for journalism.
Though never focused on directly by any of the speakers, attendees ought to remember one truth that emerged from the CCA: Anyone can be a journalist.
Journalism is not easy. Many can spout off opinion as rant, but that hardly guarantees audience. Meaningful journalism reinforces itself with copious researching, reporting, writing, and editing. Yet it is easier than ever to gain a foothold in the profession. Its attendant skills, moreover — gathering facts, marshaling arguments, telling stories — translate easily into other fields. Any human endeavor benefits from clear communication.
Hillsdale College students have an additional resource: This newspaper, a legitimate, respected publication in which the stakes are nonetheless a bit lower than a non-collegiate periodical. Hone your craft here in whatever subject suits your fancy: Discover what’s happening on campus for News and locally for City News; assess local or national art for Arts; explore the interesting and fascinating in Spotlight; chart the bounds of human physicality in Sports; or try persuasion in Opinions. By the latter especially, one can transcend the cheap satisfaction of complaining about the views of others by entering into constructive conversation for or against them.
One warning before entering this world: Don’t expect immediate satisfaction of your material cupidity. Success will come from perseverance and hard work, but those seeking the easy dollar ought to look elsewhere. Everyone else, however, should look here. Perhaps someday your own name will join the great litany of paragons who began in journalism.
