Today CBS' Russ Mitchell came to Mizzou to talk at Reynolds Journalism Institution (RJI). Mitchell is a news anchor for The Early Show, anchor for CBS Evening News and Sunday Edition, and correspondent for Sunday Morning. Not only he's easy on the eyes, I have to say that he has such a charming personality too. He started his lecture by pointing out a bad news: the state of the business (broadcast journalism) isn't great. There are layoffs going on everywhere. The business model has changed dramatically. These days, mostly in the network level, stations use digital journalist which is quite a turning point in the industry. "The name of the game is versatility now," Mitchell said. A reporter is expected to be able to do it all. Russell mentioned that a colleague of his, one of the best reporters he has worked with, got laid off because he said no when he was asked to produce and said no when he was asked to shoot.
One of the reasons what Mitchell likes about his job is he never knows what he's going to be doing in any given time of day. There are always challenges and surprises. He shared about his experience when he was working at the D.C and one morning he found out that he's being sent to Congo.
Financial reward is something that Mitchell stressed for all of us not to have expectation in. "Don't go in this for the money, you're going to be really disappointed," he said.
Some of the changes he saw at the network level:
1. News bureaus closing (from 3 photogs down to 1)
2. entry level position being eliminated, high talent just went away
3. digital journalists take over
One of the students asked if the entertainment industry is going to take the spotlight from broadcast news, Mitchell looked quite optimistic when he said no. I think this makes sense a lot since there are still going to be demand for broadcast news, no matter how pervasive the outcome that stations are cutting back on their expenses including on human resources. I honestly think that journalism is something that people can't live without. There are basic needs of transfer knowledge that people have to fulfill. And they seek for the truth from news outlets. Although there might be a difference on the demand for each medium, online or television, which is most likely to be generation-related. And I can see how entertainment industry will always prevail in the future. Especially in these struggling days, the more stressed out people are, the more dosage of entertainment television they will consume. At least that what I think.
One thing Mitchell wished he had done more while he was still in KOMU: live shots. More live shot practices would prepare you to be a better reporter, he said.
Photo: Weigy W. Samakoen
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