How does a professor became a source?
Communication skills. Accessibility. Patience. And the professor must have an opinion willing to be shared with the public.
During a symposium involving academics and journalists in Saskatoon, some academics questioned why some of their colleagues were chosen for interviews even if they were biased, the “wingnut of the department,” or perhaps not as informed or as respected as their peers.
Kathryn Falkner, assistant news director of CKOM Radio in Saskatoon, said certain academics aren’t used because of a lack of communication skills. She said the reporters know which academics are available and willing to speak with them.
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STV reporter Linda Walker said television needs people to go on camera or the public won’t watch the stories.
Kathryn Warden, of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, said often the media and academics speak a different language. “Bridging the gap can make or break the interviews.”
Warden said reporters talk to the ones “we know are good communicators” and provide opinions without a dozen qualifiers. They also have patience so reporters can call back if they have more questions.
Warden’s pet peeve is academics who want to see the story before it’s printed.
“It undervalues our skills and is a form of censorship.” She said professors are used to a lot of control over what they write, and they think journalists make a lot of errors.
Sometimes academics are impatient because they feel the media is beneath them. Warden said they don’t appreciate that the journalists have to simplify the story and the language.
Warden said the role of the journalist is to sift through ideas, see what’s interesting and relevant to the reader:
“Our obligation is to the reader. We’re to translate the meaning of the words of the source. Make sure we understand what you’re saying.”
