The Changing Face of Broadcast Journalism
When I first got into the world of sports broadcasting, the landscape looked very different. Editing was done on tape decks, scripts were printed on paper, and breaking news meant racing to the newsroom and hoping the satellite feed held up. It was a grind, but it was also incredibly rewarding. Back then, the tools were limited, but the mission was clear: tell a great story.
Fast forward more than two decades, and the way we do our jobs has transformed completely. Technology has changed every part of the workflow—from how we shoot footage, to how we edit, to how we deliver stories to audiences across multiple platforms. What used to take a full day can now be done in an hour with the right software. But with all this advancement, I keep coming back to one core truth: the tools may evolve, but the heart of storytelling stays the same.
From Tape to Timeline
I remember cutting highlights on linear editing systems, with actual physical tape. You had to cue up shots manually and get every in-point and out-point just right. There wasn’t a Command-Z to undo a bad cut—you either nailed it, or you went back and started over. It taught me patience, precision, and how to truly respect the process.
Today, digital non-linear editing software lets us work faster and cleaner. Drag-and-drop timelines, color correction, and real-time effects make our stories look better than ever. But there’s a tradeoff. With speed comes the temptation to rush. Just because you can throw together a segment in 20 minutes doesn’t mean you should. The craft still matters. It always will.
That’s one thing I try to pass on to younger producers: Don’t let the technology do the thinking for you. A fast edit isn’t necessarily a good one. Take the time to find the emotion, to build the pacing, to make every shot and every word count.
The Rise of Multi-Platform Storytelling
In the early days, we worried about one thing: the broadcast. The 6 o’clock news. The 11 o’clock show. That was our arena, and that was where we put all our energy. Now, we live in a 24/7, cross-platform world. The same story might air on TV, get posted to social media, be cut into a podcast, and appear on a streaming platform—all within hours.
That shift has been one of the biggest adjustments in my career. On one hand, it’s exciting. You can reach more people in more ways than ever before. On the other, it forces you to think differently. How you write for TikTok isn’t the same as how you write for a long-form feature. What hooks an audience on Instagram might not work in a traditional broadcast. As a storyteller, you have to be versatile. You have to know your audience and your platform—and still stay true to the message.
For me, the goal has never changed: connect with the viewer. Whether they’re watching on a 60-inch TV or scrolling on their phone, they deserve a story that’s crafted with care and purpose.
Staying Grounded in a Fast-Moving World
There’s no denying that technology has made our jobs more efficient. We have better cameras, sharper graphics, and more distribution channels. But the mission hasn’t changed. At the end of the day, people still crave stories that move them. Stories that make them think, laugh, or maybe even cry a little. That’s where the real magic is.
As a senior producer, I’ve learned that you have to embrace the new without losing what made you fall in love with the work in the first place. For me, that’s the moment when everything clicks—the visuals, the writing, the music—and you know you’ve told something worth watching. That feeling doesn’t come from technology. It comes from instinct, experience, and heart.
Keeping It Human
One thing that worries me about the pace of change is the risk of losing the human element. With AI tools that can write copy, auto-edit video, or even generate fake voiceovers, it’s easy to forget that journalism is, at its core, a human craft. Technology should support the work—not replace it.
Some of my proudest moments in this industry came from long nights in the edit room, hashing out the story with a team that cared as much as I did. That collaboration, that passion, is something no algorithm can replicate. And when viewers respond—when they send an email, or stop you to say, “I saw that piece, and it really got to me”—you realize all the tools in the world mean nothing if you don’t have something to say.
The Mission Remains
I’ve seen a lot of change in this business. I’ve lived through format shifts, equipment upgrades, and the rise of digital everything. And I’ve adapted, like we all have to. But through it all, my purpose has stayed steady: to tell stories that matter, in a way that respects the audience and honors the people I’m covering.
Technology will keep changing. No doubt about that. But I’ll keep doing what I’ve always done—listening closely, working hard, and telling the best damn story I can. Because no matter what screen it shows up on, that’s what journalism is all about.