Panelists discuss journalism, new media

Panelists gathered to discuss the impact of social and news media on journalism Wednesday in the HUB Ohio Room.

"Traditional media has a battle on its hands," said executive editor of the Indiana Gazette Eric Ebeling.

Ebeling was just one of the three panelists who spoke at the event, sponsored by IUP's Society of Professional Journalists.

The three panelists present had much experience under their belts and came from different areas in the field of journalism.

Steve Buttry, a professor at American University in Washington, D.C., also spoke at the event. Buttry is also the director of community engagement for TBD.com, an online newspaper launched in August and based in Washington, D.C.

Buttry was named Editor of the Year in February 2010 by Editor and Publisher magazine.

Also on the panel was Cindi Lash, a 1980 IUP graduate. Lash is a Western Pennsylvania regional editor for Patch.com and a former editor at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 

"At Patch.com, we're like the old-time newspapers, but we're not just about news," Lash said. "We want community involvement, we want you  to tell us what you want as much as we tell and inform you about news."

The discussion was moderated by Dr. David Loomis, journalism professor and editor of the HawkEye, an online publication.

The questions pertained to social and news media and its credibility and effects on society. The panelists also covered the risks of social media and the younger generation concerning newspapers.

"The best question a journalist can ask, no matter what source of media they research, is ‘how do you know that?'" Buttry said. "It helps one to separate the facts from the rumors and sketchy information."

Social media, according to the panelists, can be a good start for finding article ideas, but like any source of information, needs to be fully researched.

This past week, Twitter celebrated its fifth year in operation. 

"One needs to use the same common sense with Facebook and Twitter as they would with a face-to-face interview," Lash said. "One needs to track information down with hard work and good sense."

By the end of the panel, students had the opportunity to listen to three professionals and how they deal with social media and news media in their careers every day.

These panelists gave students a sample of what they will have to work with when they arrive in the

field.

"They spent a generous amount of time on each question to make sure it was fully answered,"

Katelyn Muller (freshman, journalism) said.

"I thought it was interesting and insightful, and they brought up many good points," Patrice Clayton (freshman, journalism) said.

"Today is not a ‘bad' time to enter the field of journalism," Ebeling said. "it is certainly a difficult time, but individuals can be highly successful with new business."