the bird on fire

A few weeks ago, Desert Sun Education Reporter Jennifer Cortez emailed our Blog Advisor Zachik stating SHE WAS A FAN of thebirdonfire.org. And, she wanted to talk to PVS Bloggers. Flattery gets you everywhere, so we invited Reporter Cortez in for a talk. She brought with her Photojournalist Taya Gray. They interviewed us, your PVS Bloggers. And, we interviewed them.

We wanted to know . . .

   How do reporters choose stories?
   What’s the difference between digital and print media?
   What is the relationship between writers and editors?
   Do journalists have editorial freedom?
   How do journalists train for the job?
   What do journalists major in to become a reporter?
   Do most journalists start as early as middle or high school?

Here’s what we learned:

I learned a lot from the journalists from The Desert Sun. I asked Jennifer Cortez if she was being regulated [editorially], and she responded with “No” and explained that she tries her best to post factually and gets help from her editor(s). They go through 1-2 rounds of editing. I also asked how many viewers she gets per month and how she acquired them? She said around 15,000 – 40,000 a month on average depending on the post’s relevance. She said she acquires viewers by reporting on things helpful to the community. Since Ms. Cortez is an Education Reporter, I asked her if she has seen any effects of AI in the education system. She said that teachers say that students just want the easy way. The problem is, she explained, you need to struggle to learn. If we train to think more thoughtfully, we can be more successful. –Sami Alnabelsi

I asked if Jennifer Cortez–or writers in general–have a separate editor that they have to submit through. Originally, I thought that they don’t have a separate editor considering the profession they have is in writing and they’re all good writers. Ms. Cortez answered that she does have an editor, just like us. I was very surprised that though her and our level of skills in blogging are different, she has similar fundamental steps. I also learned that she doesn’t face problems with editorial freedom. She got especially close to writing when she was in college but has always written. In fact, just like us, she took a blog class during school. Both Ms. Cortez and Ms. Gray shared that AI isn’t good and takes away the purpose of writing and blogging. In fact, I also learned about the negatives of AI in not only writing, but also in photography. Overall, this discussion taught me a lot of helpful information on how to be a better blogger, as well as the reality of being a reporter/photographer. – Sarah Alnabelsi

Soleil too was curious about the uses of AI, and wondered about their editorial process,

When talking to Ms. Cortez and Ms. Gray I learned that what you write influences your readers, and as a writer you want to share your story to the audience in a way they will understand. Ms. Cortez says she had experience in middle and high school writing. Ms. Gray says she was inspired by Photography in her first and second year in college and ever since then she’s been in love with it. She says that a photo is worth a thousand words. 

I was surprised when I heard about the editing process. The Desert Sun has three editors for all the journalists, but typically you are assigned to one main one. Everyone has a strong relationship. Ms. Cortez says that her editor helps her to be a better writer, while reading her posts and giving feedback.

What didn’t surprise me was both of their opinions on AI. Both say to always be original and don’t take the easy way out. When you are a writer you should never really turn to this source because when researching a post you want to get into as much depth as you can. AI also provides work that isn’t your own work; therefore, you are claiming someone else’s research.

Ms. Cortez has helped me to take a deeper drive when writing my posts and to explore my passion for journalism. – Soleil Antle

Lastly Mason really wanted to know if you can make enough money to support yourself, and if you had to read books. 

I learned that journalists don’t make that much, only the big ones do. You don’t have to be a long time writer and blogger to enter journalism either. I learned reading is necessary if you want to become a journalist. I found it interesting that being an editor is an entirely different job. – Mason Conway

Watch your Desert Sun. Journalists Cortez and Gray took notes on us, too, took pictures, even videos. You might see your PVS bloggers making Coachella Valley news.