C-SPAN Interview: Bob Schieffer
Bob Schieffer: Credits to tvweek.com
Fairfax, Va.– Bob Schieffer, political reporter for CBS and moderator of Face The Nation, joined students from George Mason University, University of Denver and Texas Christian University for an interview on the C-SPAN network.
Steve Scully, the political editor for the C-SPAN network, led the interview and gave students the opportunity to participate by asking Schieffer questions via video conference. This video conference is part of the C-SPAN distance learning course that streams online, or airs on C-SPAN3 on Fridays at 5 p.m.
After 30 years of experience as a political journalist for CBS, Schieffer knows a lot about how to be a successful journalist. Schieffer gave students many helpful tips for being a good journalist.
“Always ask the obvious questions,” says Schieffer. Such as, “What do you mean by that?” This allows a journalist to get the correct information he or she is looking for.
Schieffer believes it is not only important to ask simple questions, but also to use simple language when writing a story.
“The job of the journalist is to find the truth, and that means answering in a language that is understood,” says Schieffer.
Furthermore, a story doesn’t have to impress its readers with big words. It’s a good idea to “write your stories the way you normally would talk,” according to Schieffer.
Along be asked about how to be a good journalist, Schieffer was also asked about his opinion on the future of journalism.
“The world of journalism is changing, and you now have to learn all of the skills,” says Schieffer. He believes multi-platform journalism is the future.
After the interview, a senior GMU communication major, Chanel Dority, had a positive opinion about Schieffer’s discussions.
“I particularly liked all the helpful advice he gave to the classes,” says Dority. “I will definitely keep his tips in mind when I enter the field.”
Leave a response