The media has undergone a tremendous shift in the last decade. The rise of numerous digital options for news and entertainment have many people predicting the demise of print media.
Not so fast, says, Clarence Waldron, a senior writer for JET magazine.
“The key is to remain interested and interesting. So while we move into multimedia and new technology, I try my best to stay current with my profession because that gives us so many ways to tell stories. Also, I love traveling and meeting people and telling their stories. That passion has stayed with me after 32 years of doing this,” he says.
Waldron, who has interviewed high-profile subjects ranging from Dionne Warwick to Minister Louis Farrakhan, has a master’s degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York. He has a highly coveted teaching position at the prestigious Northwestern University.
Waldron was recently honored at the National Association of Black Journalists Arts & Entertainment Task Force Reception, where he was presented with the Legacy Award.
While he embraces new media, Waldron is quick to note that journalists must resist forsaking accuracy to meet the competitive and fast-paced demands of today’s 24/7 news cycle. Waldron believes that such unethical practices are at the root of the Shirley Sherrod media firestorm.
“Clearly it’s a case of the media and those close to the story moving too fast. They should have gotten a copy of her entire speech before they ran with the story. We have always competed and had fast deadlines and faster now, but that does not negate being accurate and fair. Ethics still plays a role,” he says.
Beyond ethics, passion and flexibility, it became apparent during Waldron’s emotional acceptance speech that it is a deep faith and spirituality that ultimately guides his work, and that faith has led to him becoming one of journalism’s most celebrated talents.
“I believe God is awesome and working things out. He is always providing. The fact that I have had a job this long and [have been] teaching for 12 years at one of the world’s leading institutions — I didn’t do it by myself. If you think you can do it without God, you’re missing something and won’t go too far.” –souleo
(Photo Credit: Nia Hamm)
