The Mind of a Journalist: How Reporters View Themselves, Their World, and Their Craft

by Jim Willis

Written by veteran journalist and noted professor Jim Willis, with an epilogue by Marilyn Thomsen, this book introduces journalistic decision-making into the classroom, alongside discussion of reporting and writing techniques. Students peer inside the minds of a cross-section of print, broadcast, and online journalists by way of exclusive interviews and additional research that provide a deep, broad glimpse into how they perceive themselves, their world, and their craft. Ultimately, this provocative text provides added insights into how journalists think and why they do what they do.

Features and Benefits

"Original interviews with contemporary journalists at varying career stages." Offers a rarely seen, inside look at the world of journalists from media outlets such as the" Los Angeles Times, "the" Boston Globe, "CNN," "the "Memphis Commercial-Appeal, "KUSA Television in Denver," "and "The Oklahoman.""Anecdotes involving how journalists work." Translates abstract thinking into the reality of everyday journalism."Interviews with several war reporters." Portrays the impact of covering war on those reporting from the field."An example of how different journalists approach traumatic stories such as 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing, and Hurricane Katrina." Illuminates different orientations to conveying truth and dealing with ethical dilemmas involved in such disaster coverage.

Seasoned journalists examine the following areasFactors that lure young people into journalism as a careerThe stance journalists take toward the world they are assigned to coverEthical dilemmasHow close to get to a story or how far to distance themselves from itThe socialization of journalists and the role their own personal ideologies may play in their work as reporters and editorsHow one s faith might influence the coverage of a storyThe mixing of news and entertainment

The Mind of a Journalist" "is an appropriate and innovative supplement for a variety of media studies courses, including Introduction to Journalism, News Writing and Reporting, Advanced Reporting, Journalism and Society, and Ethics, among many others.

Genres: Journalism, College

264 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the goodreads data base.

William James (Jim) Willis, a veteran news reporter and editor, earned his Ph.D. in Journalism from the University of Missouri. He has taught at the university level for three decades, chairing departments at Boston College, Ball State University, and Azusa Pacific University, and held endowed professorships at the University of Oklahoma and the University of Memphis. He has authored or co-authored 12 books on the media and one on college football. A frequent overseas lecturer, Willis has participated in six lecture tours for the U.S. State Department. He continues to work as a special correspondent and has covered the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, and the 10th and 20th anniversaries of the fall of the Berlin Wall. His honors include a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, and Undergraduate Faculty Scholar of the Year for 2009 at Azusa Pacific University.

Reviews

[Danica is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as a textbook goes, this one was actually pretty easy to read and follow. I enjoyed it and think that people interested in journalists/journalism would also enjoy this one.

The organization is very easy to follow and it's entertaining.

[NEWMARKJRESEARCH]

Please check display cabinets and shelves.

[Mohamed Ismail · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book...still reading...