What Makes a Good Reporter?

I believe the most important attribute of a good reporter is that they are pleasant. When it comes to reporting, it is important for you to be quick, knowledgeable, honest and curious. However, I believe the trait that stands out the most is a reporter with a pleasant attitude. A reporter who is pleasant will have a much longer career than a reporter whose personality is boring, rude, and hard to work with. For example, Barbara Walters’ career as a journalist has lasted so long for many reasons, but I believe the main reason to be because she is personable. Walters has built a relationship with her audience in which they feel like they can trust her and share with her their deepest secrets. She has a reputation in which some of the highest profile celebrities come to her to share their story. If it wasn’t for her being so personable, Walters wouldn’t have been able to do some of the most interviews in history. Walters, has done interviews with people like Monica Lewinsky, Clint renown Eastwood, Christopher Reeve, and Mike Tyson in which they have come to Barbara Walters and opened up about their lives. For example, many people wanted to interview Monica Lewinsky after the Clinton scandal, but Walters was able to get the interview. Walters earned this interview after years of forming trusting relationships with her guests. Oprah is very similar to Barbara Walters, with more than thirty years in the industry, she too has scored some very important interviews. Oprah has featured some of the most talked about headlines on her show. She was able to achieve that because she has developed lasting relationships throughout her career.

It’s also important to be pleasant because in order to maintain the job, you want to have a good relationship with everyone at the station. You can have the best stories and incredible writing skills, but if you have a horrible personality, no one will want to work with you. Therefore, having a personality that is upbeat, reliable, friendly, and hardworking will help you keep the job. Furthermore, those that have warm personalities are more likely to receive job promotions and better opportunities. For example, I learned at my internship that what set me apart from everyone was my personality. When others at the office met me, they instantly felt my bubbly spirit. When I first got to my internship, there were many skills that I had yet to master, but I continued to work hard to become the best. Moreover, as time progressed, they liked that I was hardworking and did not let obstacles that presented themselves defeat me. Personally, I believe that my positive spirit helped because if I was mean, I probably wouldn’t have been given a second chance.