Why Journalists Should Learn Computer Programming
Posted on | June 3, 2010 | 2 Comments
By Roland Legrand, June 2, 2010
Yes, journalists should learn how to program. No, not every journalist should learn it right now — just those who want to stay in the industry for another ten years. More seriously, programming skills and knowledge enable us traditional journalists to tell better and more engaging stories.
Programming means going beyond learning some HTML. I mean real computer programming.
As a journalist, I’m fully aware of the reasons why we don’t learn programming — and I’m guilty of using many of them. I initially thought there were good reasons not to take it up:
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June 4th, 2010 @ 2:24 AM
Totally disagree with every word here; and glad not to be sidetracked into meaningless time sucks as suggested.
For instance, I can drive safely without building an engine. I plan trips, haul things, pick people up and even relearn to drive (hypermile) to save money. I pay people to rebuild an engine, if needed. Would be a waste of my finely honed skillset to do so.
The journalist/programmers are misguided folks who are trying to survive the meltdown in journalism hiring by pretending that a new set of complicated skills will somehow inure them to the risks ahead in the field.
Nonsense. They fool themselves and master neither field well.
I am proud to think like a journalist, a much harder and sophisticated skillset than manipulating 1s and 0s. I plan coverage, set up and conduct interviews, assess data and background information from many sources, fact check and then shoot photos and video, and plan or produce graphics and maps.
The I write compelling copy that fills the first-time reader in to a given story, while highlighting the new stuff for regular readers. Stories, briefs, blog posts, tweets and web pages flow from my keyboard, like magic.
I offer balanced looks at topics ranging from medical research to the stock market to political fundraising to energy policy. Plus music, relationships, fine arts, travel and consumer tips. Oh, and religion, education….etc.
And I move thru this multimedia world quickly, remaining productive while allowing brain space to accomplish mid- and long-term goals as well. I am strategic and also intellectual. Firing on all cylinders, all day.
Programmers? They follow directions. Or they can debut their own sites, or find work at a paper or station.
My mind is filled with ideas, trends, connections, quotes and wit. Keep the code where I do not have to smell it. BTW – if the skills are so mutually important, why don’t code slammers learn journalism? If in fact they already know the “hard” part, it should be a breeze.
Yeah, I thought so….
June 22nd, 2010 @ 3:31 AM
I disagree with you, Miss Fizz, but don’t entirely agree with the original post. I don’t think it’s necessary to know programming — which is more than merely “following directions” — but it is advantageous to keep up with evolving technology.
Journalism today is more than writing compelling copy. As readerships move to other media, either you find a way to reach them or you end up writing compelling copy that nobody reads.
When computers were new, I learned how to submit articles electronically — setting modem configurations by hand. It was faster and less costly than postal mail, fax or any other means. When the web emerged, I learned HTML. I’ve used WordPress for years, and now everybody I know seems to want my help setting up a web site or publication. Whether it’s podcasting or using Photoshop, either you keep your skills current or find yourself increasingly obsolete. Like knowing how to use a computer, email or a digital tape recorder, these things are now tools of the trade.
Knowing how to do these things doesn’t make me any less a journalist than you. Just more versatile.
Many of my colleagues have resisted the new technology. They’re out of work.