Christopher Roush has worked as a business journalist for 13 years and is also the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University.
Roush also spent 17 years at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he worked as Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor, senior associate dean, and director of the Master’s program.
He is also the author or co-author of 10 books, including the business journalism textbook “Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication.”
Additionally, he is also a board member of the Southern Investigative Reporting Foundation and has worked at numerous outlets, including Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Tampa Tribune, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Businessweek and Bloomberg News.
He was also named “Journalism Professor of the Year” in 2010 by AEJMC and the Scripps Howard Foundation.
Roush is also the founder and editor-in-chief of Talking Biz News.
Read on the interview below between Roush and Qwoted editor-in-chief Lou Carlozo where Roush discusses his work.
Q: The profession of journalism feels more attacked today than in a long time, but also highly necessary. Do you feel that’s true, and if so, why?
CR: Yes, it is definitely true. Journalism acts as a check and balance on society. Without it, society falters and fails.
Q: What are you hearing from your students or members about their ambitions and hopes for the profession?
CR: They are worried. Those that go into journalism are the ones who really believe in the purpose behind informing the public.
Q: What do you think about the role of technology in journalism? Is it helpful? harmful? Something in between?
CR: Technology has overall improved journalism, making it easier to find stories. There are some forms of technology that do harm journalism. Social media doesn’t seem to be helping.
Q: What do you see as some of journalism’s biggest potential pitfalls? And what gives you hope for the future of journalism?
CR: The owners of journalism, for the most part, are not investing in [the industry’s] future. Investment needs to be made in training, recruiting, infrastructure and more. Without that investment, journalism will continue to struggle. What gives me hope is that young people entering journalism today are so passionate, and want to change the world for the better.
Q: Where do you get YOUR news from? Which publications do you like to read?
CR: I read the New York Times and the Washington Post. I also have about a dozen Google News Alerts set up for specific topics of interest.
Q: What are some of the best practices from journalism’s past that you feel need to be utilized now?
CR: Double check everything before you publish. Be fair, accurate and responsible. Better to be right than to be first.
Q: What learnings have made a tremendous difference in your career?
CR: Be humble. Be patient. Be kind. Journalism is not about you or your “brand.” It’s about helping others.
What advice does Chris leave for aspiring writers and reporters?
“If you love to write and find information and learn something new every day, then journalism is for you. I have never regretted it.”
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