Week 13 - Guest Speaker: Steve Molk

So we had our very last JOUR1111 lecture this week. Its hard to believe my introductory journalism course is winding up, I can still remember my first lecture! Being told, 'you are the journalist!'

For our last lecture Bruce introduced us to a guest lecturer: Steve Molk. An IT professional who confesses he 'likes talking about TV' and wanted to be a media writer. He runs his own blog, writes articles often published by Fairfax and appears on several radio shows.

Today he talked to us about online and social media and his experiences. Being an avid Twitter man he reminded us of the power such a website has. Just last week it was through Twitter that the world learned of Michael Clarke's wedding. Some positive aspects of Twitter he highlighted: Engaging, not just one-way, interactive, opinionated, noisy, boils down to the facts, spreads news instantly.

As has been emphasised in previous lectures, Steve talked about the growing importance of online media for journalists. A degree in journalism will aid us with employment but we should be getting out there on the internet even as undergraduates and setting ourselves up. The internet and social media makes us much more employable if was can demonstrate our knowledge as a journalist. We can gain international exposure and without editors we can pitch our story in whatever way we choose. Getting news online gives us many different views, connects us straight with the source and allows us to interact with people who have similar interests. These are no doubt some of the reasons it has taken off.

I found Steve's story of Mia Freedman interesting. Once the editor of Dolly, Cleo and Cosmo she left her job and started a blog called Mamamia. Now five years later it has turned into a 'mini empire' with about twenty employees and nearly 900 000 viewers each month! After the lecture I went on to her website and found out a little more. Here it is:http://www.mamamia.com.au/

Steve also talked about his experiences as a blogger. He likes to talk about television that is topical and interesting to him. He takes whatever opportunities he can to interview people on television or who make television. One of his rules when watching any show is to give it at least three episodes before forming an opinion. He told us of his interview with Will Anderson last year and I was amazed to hear he asked for the interview over Twitter! I know I sometimes wonder how I will ever get in contact with anyone I want to interview so maybe I will try out this method! Steve's blog is still in its early stages but is growing steadily with some of his work now being published by Fairfax.

Something Steve said that I thought was worth writing down was, "The way we understand how information is given to us is going to impact the writers and journalists we become."

Thanks for the lecture Steve Molk!