Audiences seek personal connections to find their news
Dec 19, 2024
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Megan Cloherty, a seasoned reporter and the 10 p.m. anchor at KOAA5, shares her rich journey in digital journalism and TV news. She highlights the need for journalists to evolve as audiences shift towards personal connections in news consumption. Cloherty discusses embracing new storytelling methods, the importance of local journalism, and the challenges of adapting to the ever-changing media landscape. Their heartfelt conversations reveal insights on trust, misinformation, and the drive for integrity in the profession.
Megan Cloherty emphasizes the importance of local journalism in fostering genuine community connections and restoring trust amidst rising misinformation.
The podcast highlights the challenges journalists face in adapting their storytelling for different media formats, particularly from television to radio.
Deep dives
The Origins of It's All Journalism
The podcast's inception in August 2012 is revisited, highlighting the important roles played by its founders, including Megan Clorty and Jolie Lee. Initially aimed at revitalizing personal and professional passion in journalism, it emerged as a platform to discuss industry transitions, particularly in the digital age. Clorty sought a reset in her career from local TV in Kansas City, gravitating towards a program at American University that promised diverse skills like coding and photography. This program not only reshaped her career but also fostered connections that led to the creation of the podcast.
Navigating Career Transitions
The conversation reflects on the difficulties and rewards of transitioning between different formats of journalism, such as from television to radio. Clorty discusses the challenge of writing succinctly for radio, where stories often need to be condensed into brief segments, enhancing her writing skills. She further explains that the visual elements of TV often detract from the storytelling, leading to a clearer focus on the narrative in radio broadcasting. Clorty's career progression is marked by her current role at the NBC affiliate in Colorado, where she continues to leverage her diverse background.
The Evolution of Journalism
The podcast highlights the transformative changes in journalism, particularly with the advent of digital media and changing consumer habits. The founders discuss their initial optimism about new technologies enabling more accessible and diverse reporting, admitting that many platforms have become venues for misinformation. There's a realization that many traditional journalistic values may not hold in an era where content consumption is often done in bite-sized pieces. The significance of engaging communities through local journalism is emphasized, noting that authentic connections with audiences can drive interest and trust.
Future Prospects for Journalism
As they discuss the future of journalism, both speakers express uncertainty yet hopefulness for local news' role in society. They assert that despite national media's dominance, local journalism continues to be essential for community engagement and democratic processes. The conversation also touches on the pressing need for media literacy among audiences, underlining the importance of understanding how news is produced and consumed. Ultimately, they remain committed to exploring innovative ways journalism can adapt while addressing community needs and restoring trust.
Megan Cloherty, senior reporter and 10 p.m. anchor at KOAA5 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, talks about her experiences as a broadcast reporter, digital journalist and one of the founding producers of It's All Journalism.