Summer Times 2007

BY KSENIYA BELIK

Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy. Speaking to SJI students on June 26, this is the issue that Rick Christie said is most important in journalism. Rick Christie has an endless list of experiences as a journalist, but he said that “none of it means anything without accuracy and fairness.” Too many people get entangled in words and forget accuracy. Fairness is also equally crucial in the form of being fair to the people, the subject, and the issue.Currently the Assistant Managing Editor for Business at the Palm Beach Post, Rick Christie has had a hand-full of diverse jobs. Speaking of diversity, this is a subject Christie strongly emphasized to SJI students.

“Have diverse interests. Try to understand all types of different subjects and things.” Christie said. Christie suggests that the more diverse your interests, the more colorful your writing will be. Diversity is essential for connecting with various types of readers.

As a journalist, Rick Christie has worked at publications such as The Washington Post, the Miami Herald, and The Wall Street Journal. Even though Christie admits he may not be an outstanding writer, he proposes that avid reporting will make up for that.

“Great reporting equals great writing.” Christie said. “Asking the hard questions, even the awkward questions, pays off and elevates everything.”

Right now the young, emerging journalists – SJI students and high school newspaper writers – must ask themselves the most important question in journalism: Am I writing stories people want to read?

“Ask yourself that question, but be prepared to hear an answer you won’t like, and it can be tough.” Christie said. Tough and all, answering this question is the decisive key to producing polished articles and gaining sufficed readers.