I spent my years as a professional broadcast and newspaper journalist in five basic areas: reporter (correspondent), anchor/producer, assignment editor/managing editor, executive producer, and news director. That meant interacting with people in many different ways.
I spent the last seven years in television news as an executive producer. That meant working very closely with reporters, photographers, editors, technical directors, graphic artists, anchors, news directors, general managers, and assignment editors. Since I spent many years as an assignment editor at different TV stations, I deeply appreciate what they do. I know how important they are to the success of a television news operation.
I’m pleased that the first person we’ll hear from in this new series — Is There Life IN Journalism? — is an assignment editor. I worked with Kim Smith for many years at Bay News 9 in the Tampa/St. Petersburg TV market. She is the consummate example of what anyone would want in an assignment editor. Kim is organized, attentive to details, can listen to scores of radio calls at the same time, and not afraid of anyone (an important trait when you’re trying to get exclusive interviews). And, like me, she has a career in journalism that spans more than 40 years. Not many people stay in journalism that long. So, in her own words — here’s Kim Smith.
Why have I stayed in journalism for over 40 years?
That’s the question I ask myself everyday when my 1:00am Alarm goes off.
I fell into the industry completely by accident, when I was convinced my life goal was to become a nurse.
I took a job at my hometown radio station, my first story being a murder trial for a serial killer.
I was 17 years old. I had never paid a bill, or taxes or even voted yet. But somehow the notepad in my hand and a press badge gave me behind the scenes access and I was completely hooked.
Instantly, I was seduced by the immediacy of my work being necessary to my community. That something I found or covered or had access to was important.
I’m sure that having a front row seat for every shuttle launch, every “Florida man” story and the glamour of Disney didn’t hurt in its appeal.
I have worked full time without exception in Journalism (radio for the first 10 years of my career and TV news for the rest.)
I was at the Kennedy Space Center when the Challenger exploded. I sat in a small building with Steven Spielberg when Universal announced they would be building a theme park.
One morning my News Director called me to ask me to hurry to a news conference where they announced building these huge towers that would allow the average person to carry a portable phone with them in their cars.
I was too young to understand the technology or the terminology of most of the stories I covered, but so many kind and patient people helped me to put it into terms that I could translate into a script.
Now I guess, being a journalist is just what I am. The same as I am a Christian or a mom or a sister or daughter.
I love the digging, I love the discovery, I love asking questions that I think will also be important to our viewers or even just my mom and dad and children.
The things I struggled with in the beginning of my career are now the very things I think make me valuable to a newsroom.
While it may sound kind of dark to say, I crave being in the middle of extreme weather coverage, or political scandals and any other news that is breaking each day.
That middle of the night alarm still physically hurts every single morning, but as I force my feet on the floor, I also thank God for the blessing of a career that has sustained me financially as well as challenged me.
Kim Smith
Bay News 9 Assignment Editor
Next Newsletter
When is an ‘investigative reporter’ not an investigative journalist? I think the ‘title’ is being used incorrectly in the media today, causing confusion among viewers, readers, and listeners. I’ll explain why in next week’s newsletter. Stay tuned!
Comments and Questions Welcome
I hope these thoughts are helpful to you. Please share your comments and questions and I’ll respond as quickly as I can. If you like what we’re doing in this newsletter, please let your friends know about it so they can subscribe.
Newsletter Purpose
The purpose of this newsletter is to help people who work in the fields of journalism, media, and communications find ways to do their jobs that are personally fulfilling and helpful to others. I also want to help news consumers know how to find news sources they can trust.