Perennial problems: "I" and "Hello..."

I wanted to post now about two exciting ideas we'll be working on later this semester. The first, a manifesto by radio reporter Sean Cole tackles the always dicey subject of "first person" reporting. It's something I grew up in this business trying to avoid (for no good reason, mind you) only to find that it can be one of the best tools in the arsenal of any reporter.

Sean is unquestionably one of the most talented radio reporters in America, and has really great reasons for placing himself in stories. Once we hit the serious "feature" reporting part of our class, we'll be revisiting his ideas.

Another problem reporters often face is addressed in this perfectly titled piece by Jen Nathan: "Sticking Your Microphone Where it Doesn't Belong." Once we start getting out into the world with our digital recorders, you'll see what we're talking about. It can be difficult knowing how, and when to prompt people for information...and then when to prompt them for even more. Remember - you're a reporter...you're used to asking questions. Most of your interview subjects are rarely, if ever interviewed.

We'll be chatting about this in a few weeks as well.