A columnist from the Kansas City Star once told me that media and the press are the most powerful forces known to man. The statement seemed a bit extreme to me when I first heard it. However, seeing the affects writers, broadcasters, photographers, and advertisers have on the lives of people changed my entire perspective about what journalism actual does to a community, or an entire country.
After being selected as one of three freshmen students to participate on the Europe Media Tour, hosted by the Missouri School of Journalism, my knowledge, along with my eyelids at the sights of beautiful historic landmarks in countries such as Paris, has grown, which has enabled me to become culturally aware of the world around me. Furthermore, my voyage to Europe allowed me to return with a response to a question that had been pending since I arrived to Mizzou: What makes a good newsroom?
Could it be the warmth of 200 or more monitors firing up in a compact space? A newscaster with an unforgettable hairstyle and mustache combination, similar to Geraldo Rivera?
OR
As a student studying Convergence Media (with an emphasis in radio and television) I wanted to discover how the environment of the newsroom affected the way the news was told. I stumbled across my answer while in Paris: diversity.
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| France 24 studio |
By “diversity,” I do not mean the variety of reporting techniques reporters have available, but how the newsroom encompasses and recognizes characteristics that make individuals unique. More importantly, the ability for these “diverse” characteristics to be exhibited in an atmosphere, which traditionally in American newsrooms involve celebrations of individual achievement.
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| France 24 anchorwoman performing the hourly broadcast |
Probably the most noticeable feature of our visited cities were the melting pots of individuals with cultural and political differences. My first realization of the immense level of diversity was in Paris, France, where I was able to visit France 24 (an international news coverage channel).
Established in 2006, this young television station is on its way to become “the CNN of France,” according to Heather Javault, a France 24 communications employee. New to French citizens, the news channel has established a unique system of broadcasting to the different cultures in France; English and Arabic are two additional languages new is presented.
I found this extremely interesting simply because it exhibited the demand that the citizens living in France (native or not) have for news delivered in their mother tongue. Furthermore, I admired by France 24’s strategy to meet the demands of a very diverse population in France.
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| France 24 control room |
Bill Kovach and Tom Rosentiel, authors of The Elements of Journalism, highlight the fourth element of journalism (It practitioners must remain an independence from those they cover) in Chapter 5 titled “Independence from Faction.”
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| Missouri School of Journalism students in France 24 live studio |
Another example included a broadcast in French about the issues in the Middle East and the effects on oil prices in certain countries. The story featured a French economist, who had done work with France 24 previously, but the story was re-aired in both English and Arabic. Although the economists worked directly with France 24, there was no issue with the English and Arabic speaking audiences, because of the demand for content and the established structure of newsroom diversity.
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| Anchormen and anchorwomen at TF1 (one of France's most popular television channel) report daily news before entertainment shows air later in the day |
I was truly astounded by the work ethic each newsroom staff member put into translating news stories and assuring that each sector of languages accurately and efficiently reported those stories. It was here where I realized how important the structure of the newsroom was; functionality was the key to providing France’s citizens with what they needed.
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| Professor Father John Wauck gave journalism students an excellent history lesson about the Vatican |
My fascination continued to grow when we traveled to Rome, home of Pontificia University-School of Church Communications and the Vatican Radio. A city where the influence on the Catholic religion is emphasized in all form of media, my comfort zone was challenged. My mind could not fathom two questions: How was reporting on religion 24/7 considered journalism? and How could there be any room for the citizens to open a public forum for discussion, when the majority of the journalists were priests?
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| Students in the School of Church Communications working on their assignemt |
After an in-depth lecture and presentation by Professor Father John Wauck (Pontificia University) about the history of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica and the immense importance the happenings of the Pope and his council, my viewpoint totally changed about the role of journalists who “report for the Lord.”
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Professor Daniel Arasa (Pontificia University) talking to TV Azteca reporter shortly after the announcement of Pope John Paul II approaching beatification |
The public forum was the discussion of God and His word to the followers. The journalists, not serving the typical watchdog role, were still able to create a marketplace of ideas, by using their expertise on the Catholic religion to enhance citizens ideas of how to get closer to God and obey His word.
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| J-School student in Vatican Radio studio |
The concept seemed completely different from anything journalism related I had ever heard, but I was able to make sense of the objective. Whereas religion is a private matter for media discussion in America, it is what the citizens of Rome trust the most and hold with deep regard. Upon Father Wauck’s tour of the university and the Vatican, I was able to tour Vatican Radio and meet Andrew Edwards, a correspondent for religious affairs for Rome Reports TV News Agency.
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| Vatican on Sunday morning. The Pope delivered his sermon from one of the window of the Vaitcan |
Vatican Radio, established by Guglielmo Marconi and inaugurated by Pius XI on February 12th 1931, is a station that reports on the inside of the Vatican and the tasks of the Pope. One of the highlights while I was in Rome was the announcement of the looming beatification of Pope John Paul II.
Having little knowledge about the Catholic religion, I quickly realized the gravity of the situation at hand. What was interesting to see was the vitality of journalists coverage of the Vatican and finding sources to confirm pieces of information about the unheard of phenomena.
Having little knowledge about the Catholic religion, I quickly realized the gravity of the situation at hand. What was interesting to see was the vitality of journalists coverage of the Vatican and finding sources to confirm pieces of information about the unheard of phenomena.
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| Me and Celia Ampel standing on top of Pontificia University roof |
Diversity within the newsroom is a critical element to how news coverage is displayed to the public; it is the basis of how European media is influential.
Zachary L. McGowan
Entrepreneurial Journalism
Business Management (Minor)
University of Missouri
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