Prof KRG

A practical resource for student journalists.

  • Journalism
    • Quotables
    • Nerd Notes
  • Leadership
    • Pub Manual 101 Series
  • Jobs & Internships
  • Readings
    • Prof KRG’s Bookstore
    • Nonfiction
    • Fiction
    • 2021 Reading List
    • 2020 Reading List
    • 2019 Reading List
    • 2018 Reading List
    • 2017 Reading List
    • 2016 Reading List
    • 2015 Reading List
    • 2014 Reading List
    • 2013 Reading List
    • Course Book Recommendations
    • Blogs Worth Reading
    • Podcasts Worth Hearing

Creating more effective newsroom communication

July 27, 2017 by Kenna Griffin

Journalists are tasked with communicating sometimes complex information to their audiences in a way that helps the audience understand issues and become involved, if they deem it appropriate.

The communication-based role of journalism is perhaps why it’s so interesting that newsrooms tend to lack strong internal communications. It seems many journalists complain about a lack of communication or poor communication within their organizations. Why is it that master communicators cannot communicate with one another?

If communication is an issue in your newsroom, here are some tips for creating more effective newsroom communication.

1. Who are you speaking to?

Before you engage in a conversation, think about what that person wants and needs to get from the communication. Make sure what you communicate meets those expectations, which likely are based on how their newsroom role interacts with yours.

2. What’s your goal?

Conversations aren’t just one way. What’s the one thing you want to to help the other person know or understand? Make sure you communicate your message in a way that accomplishes that goal. Also, remember to focus communication on what you think should happen, not what you don’t want to happen.

3. Listen

Don’t communicate just to talk. Really listen to the other person and consider how to respond before talking. Don’t finish their sentences, just let them talk. Listening also means turning away from your computer, putting down devices and maybe even closing the door so you can focus on the person talking. Make eye contact with the person who is talking. Also be willing to take notes to help remind yourself what was agreed upon.

4. Be specific

Be specific when communicating what you want or need. You set others up for failure and yourself for disappointment when you’re vague or leave things to chance.

5. Avoid negativity

It’s easy to just complain and whine, but that’s not good communication, especially if you’re the leader. Keep your communication as positive as possible, given the situation. Never complain about other coworkers or just gripe.

6. Recap the conversation

At the end of your conversation, recap what you think you’ve heard and what they need from you. If you’ve asked them to do something, send a follow-up email about what was agreed upon.

These steps may seem formal, but they don’t play out that way once you’re used to communicating in this manner. When you use the steps to communicate, they become your natural process and, hopefully, will be adopted by those around you, creating more effective overall communication in your newsroom.

THIS POST FIRST APPEARED ON THE ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE PRESS WEBSITE, WHERE I AM A GUEST BLOGGER.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Related Posts:

  • Lessons from #EditorTherapy on TransparencyLessons from #EditorTherapy on Transparency
  • MY 17 FAVORITE NON-FICTION BOOKS OF 2019MY 17 FAVORITE NON-FICTION BOOKS OF 2019
  • My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020My 37 Favorite Fiction Books of 2020
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above (typically those to books) may be “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I promise that I only recommend products or services I use personally and think will provide you value. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Prof KRG

Prof KRG aims to create an ongoing educational dialogue among media professionals, students and educators.

Please let me know what resources you need or topics you wish you better understood. If I don't know the information, I'm happy to seek out someone who does.

Contact me via email at kennagriffin@gmail.com.

Quotables

“Writing is easy. All you have to do is cross out the wrong words.”

— Mark Twain

Pinterest

Follow Kenna's board ProfKRG.com on Pinterest.

About Kenna Griffin

I am a mass communications professor, journalist and collegiate media adviser. I teach classes including those on writing, reporting, media law, media ethics, social media marketing, and public relations. I am married, have two children and live in Oklahoma. More about this site's purpose

The archive

Prof KRG Insider

  • About
  • Contact
  • Social Media Policies
  • Syllabuses
  • My Toolbox

Copyright© 2021, Kenna Griffin