by Kevin Clang
When it comes to picking what field of study one wants to major in, some students spent months agonizing over the important decision. For Mac DeMere, it was easy. “There was no degree in race-car driver,” he said.
Mac DeMere Visits COM 310
DeMere, a freelance auto-journalist who has spent his career working in newspapers, magazines, public relations and the automotive industry itself, visited Elon University today to discuss the changing face of journalism. DeMere discussed his career, offering stories and advice, and finally asking students their opinions.
“You must be an expert in your field,” DeMere explained, adding that an expert should be able to “spot fudges and lies, and hear what they’re not saying.” When you don’t know something, DeMere stressed that you “always find and expert that does.” The auto-journalist also detailed with the class some of the ways in which journalism is changing.
“I did not take a variety of classes,” he said, mentioning television classes specifically. “These days, you have to do everything; journalism is in flux.” Print journalists are now expected to write for the web and television as well, and the three media could not be more different from one another.
DeMere talked about his first experiences in front of a television camera, something the company he was working for sprung on him with little to no warning. “My first efforts on-camera were terrible,” he said, “Print journalism on air doesn’t work.” Despite initial setbacks, DeMere admitted that television writing did become easier the more he did it.
The most important advice DeMere dispeled on the class was what he viewed as a journalist’s number one priority: accuracy. “Give up on completeness for accuracy,” he explained, adding he would rather turn in a story late than turn one in that was not facutally sound. “One error could lose you your audience for your career . . . not being wrong is all you can hope for.”
As most newspapers and magazines move on-line, DeMere questioned the future of quality journalism. Although video often obtains ten times the number of on-line hits that print receives, “Written word is still important, powerful, and necessary,” he said, adding that the Internet was best for quick news and fast hits.
