“People don’t know how hard (journalism) is,” said Richard Ruelas, an Arizona Republic reporter and Cronkite professor. “It’s difficult to figure out what the story is, who the voices are. We are hard on ourselves because we want to make the next story better.”
The journalist panel also included Andy Ramirez, the managing editor of ABC 15, and Janet Rodriguez, an Emmy award-winning news reporter.
“We are the gatekeepers of a lot of stuff you see on the news,” Ramirez said. “We’re story tellers, it’s what we do.”
The three panelists mainly focused on immigration in Arizona and how they deal with and present these issues to the public. They also addressed the decision-making processes they go through covering stories and how they stay objective when covering controversial issues such as SB 1070.
“Just simply doing our job helps the country,” Ruelas said. “Being truthful about it, telling people what is going on and helping people understand the root of the issue instead of focusing on skin color.”
When dealing with major issues like immigration it is important to cover it accurately by looking at all the sides, including the different points of view, while hitting the key issues, Ramirez said.
Daryl Bjoraas, a member of AMJ, said he thought this event covered many issues journalists face today. How each news outlet approaches and covers a big issue while getting the different sides is very intriguing, Bjoraas said.
“I think everyone who attended this event went away with a little bit of something, a changed perspective,” Bjoraas said.
Anthony Sandoval, the president of NAHJ, said the topics covered rang very close to home. As a Hispanic journalism student, Sandoval said he never had to think about these issues growing up until now.
“These types of things, these issues are very real, but people don’t normally think about them,” Sandoval said.
Fully understanding and getting both sides’ perspectives to tell a story is a daily struggle journalists deal with. It is trying to find that balance because we can’t be biased, Rodriguez said.
“It is making your own judgment on what you believe is right,” Ramirez said. “Just make sure you’re telling fair and balanced stories.”
Contact the reporter at jessica.s.choi@asu.edu
