Advice for young reporters from Leonard Pitts of Miami Herald

By Ariel Worthy

As a student journalist at the University of Alabama, whenever I hear an accomplished journalist speak to an audience, the same question burns in my mind each time: What do I have to do to get to your success? Leonard Pitts Jr., a Pulitzer Prize winning writer with Miami Herald, recently spoke to students and others at the University of Alabama. Pitts offered sage advice that all journalists should take along with them on their path to success.

“Read, then write.”

The best way to learn about writing is to examine how others do it. Skills and inspiration won’t come from a two-hour seminar. The inspiration that comes from studying the work of other journalists will give you the courage to write in the style that you have developed.

“Writing well requires persistence.”

The ability to write well does not have a shortcut. There is no copy and paste when it comes to writing. You must be willing to put in the time. Understand that writing is rewriting.

“Most pieces that you read of mine, I’ve read them 20, 21 times,” Pitts said.

Develop patience so you will take the time necessary to read and rewrite your work.

“Good enough is not good enough,” Pitts said.

“Spell check is a stupid tool.”

You must be your own editor when it comes to your work. Remember, spell check does not know the difference between “their” and “there.”

Don’t be afraid to be a reporter.

During Pitts’ talk, one audience member asked, “Where have all of the journalists gone?” Everyone wants to be a columnist, but not a news reporter, the attendee explained.

“We’ve gotten less into the news business and more into the punditry business,” Pitts said.

Pitts blamed broadcast journalism for this problem. It gives a false narrative in which there is nothing we can agree about.

Report what matters

When watching TV news, how much of it is news that is important for you to know and how much is inspired by stimulating pictures?

“I think about this every time there is a story about someone who loses control of their car and drives into an empty building,” Pitts said.

The security camera catches it, and the news shows the footage several times and then slows it down for you.

“That’s a completely useless story,” Pitts said.

Inform!

Media have a lot to account for in this country, but they must not misinform. Media can also give an inaccurate picture of certain demographic groups.

“People don’t realize that the street crime in this country is down to almost record levels.” Pitts said.

He went on to say that many in the media are more interested in selling a story than giving news. That is what we as journalists have to get back to: reporting real news and being less of a pundit, Pitts said.

Media must not forget our purpose: to give the news and let others form their own opinion.

Ariel Worthy, a Birmingham native, is a junior at the University of Alabama. When not in class writing, she can be found writing her own short stories, reading poetry, cooking, looking up natural hair blogs or watching The Big Bang Theory and Boardwalk Empire. Follow her on twitter @airreeulll.