By Ally Thomsen University of Nebraska-Lincoln When L. Kent Wolgamott got a degree in journalism at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, he thought he would write on political news. Years later, he is happily employed at the Lincoln Journal Star as an entertainment reporter. Before enrolling in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, Wolgamott, 60, planned to go into politics. He worked for Nebraska Sen. Edward Zorinsky when he went to school at UNL. After declaring a major in journalism, he focused on political news, but continued to take art history classes and play music, which he had done since the fourth grade. After graduating, Wolgamott, originally from Curtis, Nebraska, was employed at the Lincoln Journal Star and worked as a city government reporter before covering natural resources. When the previous entertainment reporter left the paper, he applied for the job and got it. Interestingly, the political reporter position opened just a few months later. Wolgamott said that if those jobs had become available in the opposite order, he would not be where he is today. As an entertainment reporter, Wolgamott covers art, film, literature and music relevant to Lincoln readers. When asked in an interview about memorable stories, he brought up a story he did for the 50th anniversary of Jack Kerouac’s "On the Road." Wolgamott traveled to different places mentioned in the novel and talked to various people such as Allen Ginsberg. Wolgamott said the best part of his job is that his personal life and work life are linked. He enjoys what he does and many of the events he would go to for fun he reports on. He goes to art openings, concerts and films. He has had the opportunity to meet and often have dinner with musicians and artists. Wolgamott had some pieces of advice for aspiring journalists. He said, “Write and write and write and write. It doesn’t matter where.” He suggests that aspiring writers should take every opportunity to write, whether for class, a student newspaper or blog. Wolgamott also encouraged journalists to be accurate and truthful and not write to please certain groups. “You have to write in your own voice. You can’t write to please anyone else,” he said. Wolgamott suggested that aspiring journalists pay attention to how social media is changing journalism. Wolgamott said that the advent of social media “didn’t change what I write or how I write, but provides a way for people to communicate.” He said that Twitter and Facebook have increased interaction and communication between the audience and journalists. Wolgamott uses social media to update his audience on events. He said that he posts pictures from shows more often than live-tweeting them because his followers prefer photos. A few years ago, live-tweeting was a major part of entertainment reporting, but Wolgamott now tweets more photos. In the newsroom, Wolgamott said that the editors at the Journal Star set tone and direction of the paper and respect his craft, making it a good place to work. Editors “keep the train on the track,” making sure that stories are on deadline and working with reporters to get better.
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By Kade Dohmen University of Nebraska-Lincoln In today’s day and age, immediacy has become the primary factor in news and journalism. This can make it tough for journalists to decide whether to post a story or wait for more facts. K.C. Johnson, a Chicago Bulls reporter for the Chicago Tribune, advises that journalists listen to their internal voice among all the noise of the 24/7 news cycle. “The 24/7 news cycle has changed journalism because there is too much focus on immediacy and instant (delivery) of information,” Johnson, 49, said in a phone interview. “We still need to try and be accurate.” Johnson's deadline has become 24/7 and a lot of stories are posted immediately. Johnson said that Twitter is an important part of his job. He tweets important things as they arise, blogs and posts stories. Johnson, who is from Evanston, Illinois, majored in creative writing at Beloit College in Wisconsin. While in college, he wrote for the student newspaper. In college, he also wrote for the Beloit Daily News. He said he was simply following the signs that his life was showing him, which pointed toward journalism. “I had always loved writing and sports. I am a curious person by nature and I enjoy storytelling,” said Johnson. After graduation, Johnson landed a marketing internship with the Chicago Bulls. Not long after that he worked part time at the Chicago Tribune covering high school sports. In 1996, he started covering the Chicago Bulls for the Tribune at the start of their second three-peat and for the most part has been reporting on the Bulls ever since, covering everyone from Bison Dele to Derrick Rose to Dwyane Wade. Through his time at the Tribune, he has relied on editors and lamented that they don't get the credit they deserve. “They are a safety net everybody needs,” Johnson said. Johnson said he likes print newspapers, but he worries about the future. “The emphasis has shifted from print product to web. I’m an old-school guy. I’d like to think newspapers will continue,” said Johnson. But, he added: “We’re using a broken business model. We use money and paper and gasoline and ask people to pay for something they get for free online." Still, Johnson offered some advice to aspiring journalists. “Become a lawyer,” he joked. All kidding aside, Johnson advised students to be curious, focus on all beats and be ready to deal with all kinds of people. “At the end of the day, we’re dealing with people. They may be professional athletes, but they are still people,” said Johnson. By Dalton Carper |
A note about the content: This site showcases the final projects of University of Nebraska-Lincoln editing students. Each semester, students pick a journalist or communications professional to profile. This is their work.
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