Why be a journalist? It can be a difficult job with long hours, hard work and an uncertain future. Journalists face relentless criticism and an industry in transition. Aaron Chimbel has put together a collection of essays from working journalists who answer the question - why be a journalist? - with their personal stories of coming up, toiling in the field and writing important, career-defining stories. These journalists come from different platforms, beats and locations, offering varying accounts of the travails and rewards of being a working journalist across changing landscapes and timelines.
The essays in Why I'm a Journalist offer encouragement and wisdom about the path to being a reporter, a broadcaster, an editor or a media professional. This is a collection for students interested in the field, early upstarts engaged with building their careers and seasoned pros looking to learn from their colleagues.
Foreword
Byron Pitts
Preface
Aaron Chimbel
Section 1 - Public Affairs Journalists
Norah O'Donnell
John F. Harris
Perla Trevizo
Ziva Branstetter
Section 2 - International Journalists
Elise Hu
Muhammad Lila
Robyn Kriel
Can Dündar
Section 3 - Media Journalists
Eric Deggans
Brian Stelter
Kristen Hare
Section 4 - Business Journalists
Karen Blumenthal
Kelli B. Grant
Michael Schreiber
Section 5 - Sports Journalists
Karen Crouse
Mark Godich
Joel Anderson
Section 6 - Print Journalists
Tawnell D. Hobbs
Rose Baca
Lee Powell
Section 7 - Broadcast Journalists
John Sharify
Michele Mitchell
Carlos C. Hopkins
Wayne Freedman
Section 8 - Digital Journalists
David Cohn
Mila Sanina
Steve Myers
Section 9 - Journalism Leaders
Aminda (Mindy) Marqués Gonzalez
Peter Bhatia
Susana Schuler
Jay Shaylor
Section 10 - Young Journalists
Alex Apple
Lexy Cruz
Andrea Drusch
Lauren Galippo
Andrea Masenda
Ryan Osborne
Daniel Salazar
Afterword
Bob Schieffer
