The Mass Comm Week Blog
October 2008 Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA
Reporting 101
By Heather Gioia
Student Writer
RICHMOND, Va.- Current president of Carolina Parenting Inc. Mark Ethridge III spoke with students and staff Wednesday evening about ongoing changes in mass media. Ethridge was the guest speaker at the Turpin Lecture as part of the Mass Comm Week at VCU.
What does it take to be a good reporter?
Good reporting, according to Ethridge, is lacking because there are many reporters who are rushing to beat their competiton. Using Dan Ratherther as an example, he explained how news goes on to the air or to print without a complete fact check.
“People have this sort of insatiable desire to know how they fit with the rest of the world,” said Ethridge.
Reporters must remember that it is the readers who bring the value to the paper so their goal must be to connect with them, Ethridge said.
Go after the story.
Along with his journalistic career, Ethridge has taken on the world of novels, authoring “Grievances.”
“Grievances” begins with a young man who digs deeper into the murder of a 13-year-old boy years after the instance. Then fallows into the story of two reporters and their boss, and their drive to find the unknown.
“The key to writing, everybody wants something,” said Ethridge. “A great newspaper story is a story that gets readers talking to nonreaders.”
Today, the newspaper industry is attempting to look like TV, attempting to “excel where it cannot.” Reporters should not cut or dumb down news, however embrace detail, authority, and credentials. Detail being extremely important, Ethridge stresses that reporters should not “ever send anything in that isn’t perfect.”
“Great writing isn’t pilling on a lot of flowery language,” said Ethridge. “When no word is wasted writing is powerful.”
The hard part about being a reporter is not learning how to write news, but learning the industry and getting involved, according to Ethridge. As students, aspiring reporters and journalist should do as much hands on work as possible, partake in as many internships as possible.
Earning a degree from a “good” institution and networking are also key in success. Ethridge described VCU’s Mass Communications program as being “increasingly respected” and the degree as coming from a “very good institution.” Networking is also key to success, Ethridge recommended that students visit the VCU Mass Communications Alumni site to start networking with VCU graduates.
Although times are changing, Ethridge stressed how reporters will always be needed.
“There is always a need for reporters,” said Ethridge. “The Delivery system changes from trees and trucks to the internet, but the content need is the same.”
Who is Mark Ethridge III?
“A very successful media manager who has gotten into a second or third career,” described director of the School of Mass Communications, Judy Turk.
Former editor of The Charlotte Observer and current president of Carolina Parenting Inc., Ethridge has had a renowned journalistic career. Yet, he did not start off in the field of journalism, or any media for that matter.
Ethridge graduated from Princeton University with a degree in history. From there he went on to be a staff member at The Charlotte Observer. While there, he directed the paper’s Pulitzer winning investigation of the textile industry and PTL scandal.
Author of the novel “Grievances,” Ethridge claimed it is his way to “vent.” “Grievances” is described as sharing the journey of “real life breakneck world of newspaper reporting. From by-lines to deadlines, reluctant publishers to mystery sources,” as stated in the write up.
“Grievances” has received great reviews and was even referred to as “a must for your beach bag,” which Ethridge described as being a “delight.”
As a 3rd generation journalist, Ethridge finds ties to the Richmond area through his grandfather, Mark F. Ethridge.
Mark F. Ethridge was a publisher at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in the mid- 1930’s. At his departure in 1936 from the paper he was described by the board of directors of the Times-Dispatch as having helped “circulation having reached its highest mark and his efforts, have contributed substantially towards increasing its effectiveness as an instrument of public service for the city and t the state.”
What is the Turpin Lecture?
The Turpin Lecture was added by two VCU Alumni who wanted to honor professor Bill Turpin. Turpin taught the media management class at VCU.
Ethridge described Turpin as, “A man who is well described as a mentor and a journalist.”
The purpose of the lecture is to bring someone to VCU that is or was successful in media management.
Heather Gioia's Clips 
