Larry Bird, Indianapolis Star Sports Editor address Mary Benedict Critical Issues Seminar
Spencer Garnier, Warren Central |
Feb. 26, 2010 10:37 p.m.
Sports media as we know it is changing.
For years, print media, television and radio were the only ways people interacted with sports journalism. But now more and more people are getting sports news from the Internet, blogs, and social-networking outlets such as Twitter and Facebook.
On Friday, over 60 high school journalism students attended a seminar on the subject in the Conseco Field House pressroom.
At the Mary Benedict Critical Issues seminar, students listened to not only key members of the Indiana sports journalism community, but also members of the Pacers’ organization, and their views on the topic.
“We’re not dead yet,” Indianapolis Star sports editor Jim Lefko said regarding print media.
Print media has changed, however.
Nearly every major newspaper, including the Star, has started putting out more and more information on their websites.
“It’s almost like we put out another newspaper every day,” Lefko said.
Pacers beat writer Mike Wells has also noticed a change in how sports journalism is presented.
“I write a blog after every game,” Wells said.
This just shows a shift in the times. Blogs allow writers to insert more opinion in an article, and are easily accessed by Internet users anywhere.
But with this shift comes a greater need for ethical responsibility by the journalists themselves. At least former Star sports reporter and current Pacers public relations director David Benner believes so.
“You have to be responsible to present the facts,” Benner said.
Benner said in this new age of sports media, often journalists are trying too quickly to get the stories out there, rather than making sure they are 100 percent accurate.
“These journalists have been caught up in this trap of trying to be the first one with a story,” Benner said.
Former Celtics player and current Fox Sports color commentator Quinn Buckner was also available for the seminar.
“I firmly believe in the right of free speech,” Buckner said. “But how do you balance that?”
Buckner was referring to how journalists these days have to balance getting the story quickly with being completely accurate.
Current President of Pacers Basketball Operations, Larry Bird, also believes this new media needs to be kept in check.
“Media has changed, and I like it the old way,” Bird said.
After listening to all these speakers, the students were given the opportunity to write stories about the event, and the changes in sports media as a whole. Before everyone left, Brenner, who has had experience on both sides of the issue, wanted all the students to remember that sports journalism as a whole is a powerful entity.
“There is such a thing as libel, there is such a thing as slander, and it can hurt people,” Brenner said. “You always have to remember that.”
For years, print media, television and radio were the only ways people interacted with sports journalism. But now more and more people are getting sports news from the Internet, blogs, and social-networking outlets such as Twitter and Facebook.
On Friday, over 60 high school journalism students attended a seminar on the subject in the Conseco Field House pressroom.
 |
| Photo credit: Jim Brown/IUPUI |
At the Mary Benedict Critical Issues seminar, students listened to not only key members of the Indiana sports journalism community, but also members of the Pacers’ organization, and their views on the topic.
“We’re not dead yet,” Indianapolis Star sports editor Jim Lefko said regarding print media.
Print media has changed, however.
Nearly every major newspaper, including the Star, has started putting out more and more information on their websites.
“It’s almost like we put out another newspaper every day,” Lefko said.
Pacers beat writer Mike Wells has also noticed a change in how sports journalism is presented.
“I write a blog after every game,” Wells said.
 |
| Photo Credit: Zach Losacher/Greenwood High School |
But with this shift comes a greater need for ethical responsibility by the journalists themselves. At least former Star sports reporter and current Pacers public relations director David Benner believes so.
“You have to be responsible to present the facts,” Benner said.
Benner said in this new age of sports media, often journalists are trying too quickly to get the stories out there, rather than making sure they are 100 percent accurate.
“These journalists have been caught up in this trap of trying to be the first one with a story,” Benner said.
Former Celtics player and current Fox Sports color commentator Quinn Buckner was also available for the seminar.
 |
| Photo: Brooke Shoopman/Fishers High School |
Buckner was referring to how journalists these days have to balance getting the story quickly with being completely accurate.
Current President of Pacers Basketball Operations, Larry Bird, also believes this new media needs to be kept in check.
“Media has changed, and I like it the old way,” Bird said.
After listening to all these speakers, the students were given the opportunity to write stories about the event, and the changes in sports media as a whole. Before everyone left, Brenner, who has had experience on both sides of the issue, wanted all the students to remember that sports journalism as a whole is a powerful entity.
“There is such a thing as libel, there is such a thing as slander, and it can hurt people,” Brenner said. “You always have to remember that.”
 |
| Photo: Jim Brown/IUPUI |
March 1st, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Nice story. However, you have the public relations director’s name wrong it is David Benner. No “R.” Remember in the future to always check the spelling of a person’s name.
March 1st, 2010 at 1:03 pm
It’s corrected now. I read over it, too — John Oehser, Editor
September 6th, 2010 at 11:47 am
great post, i like reading it..