View Full Version : New Reporter in the house
Bureau Chief
Jul 7th 2008, 07:49 AM
I am in a bit of a corner and need your input.
We have a new reporter in the newsroom whos not very good. This person came to us with a glowing resume and good tape...now apparently the product of a professional resume tape company. I didnt hire this person. The ND did.
This reporter started off just plain bad but is improving somewhat over the last few weeks. This newbie is on my shift so I suffer the consequences when this person fails on an assignment. ( Im not indicating which sex this person is)
This reporter also seems to have an over blown opinion of his/her own talent. I wont go into details but its safe to assume this person thinks he/she should be at network level.
I would like to offer advice and assistance to this reporter to help him/her improve but dont know how to approach the reporter to make said offer without offending him/her...and Im not sure that the offer would be seen as such since this person has such a high opinion of him/her self. I have about 60 days before this person will come up for review at the end of his/her probation period which will fix the problem in any event. I dont think they will make it without help. Is this person worth the extra effort to save em? Is it really my business to get involved?
I dont think they will make it without help. Is this person worth the extra effort to save em? Depends on how much you like her.
Spike
Jul 7th 2008, 08:14 AM
Is it really my business to get involved?
No.
Extra white text because the board won't allow such a short response.
HolyToledo
Jul 7th 2008, 08:42 AM
Is this person worth the extra effort to save em? Is it really my business to get involved?
Maybe.
And No.
If this person's shortcomings/failures cascade to damage your product, and the station's overall product, you may be helping yourself by helping him/her.
Is this person's high opinion of him/herself really blind self-absorption?
Or is it a cover for I'm-dancing-as-fast-as-I-can, I-have-no-clue-what-I'm-doing, so-somebody-told-me-to-fake-it-until-I-make-it?
If it's the latter, this person will greet your offer with gratitude.
If the former, you risk a complaint to your boss, to HR and vindictive blow-back.
Ultimately, the "problem" is management's. Not yours.
If he/she is management's pet, management has an even greater stake in his/her success or failure. His/her failure becomes the BOSS'S failure.
That MAY be your ace.
Do you feel comfortable enough to approach management with a pitch "Hey,
what can I do to help "X" succeed here?"
That could make you part of the SOLUTION, rather than the PROBLEM -- and prompt the boss to begin the "evaluation" a little earlier than the expiration of the probationary period.
My .02
TVMattNYC
Jul 7th 2008, 10:04 AM
This isn't kindergarten. You're not expected to hold anyone's hand here.
Wait for this reporter to approach YOU if s/he wants help.
If not, let him/her sink, and enjoy the view.
wx or not
Jul 7th 2008, 10:56 AM
If you "hand hold" this person, can it ultimately affect YOUR job performance? And is training part of your job description? If yes to both, take care. Do the best you can, come across as if you wish for this person to pass the probationary period, then they're on their own. IF the answer is no to both, don't jeopardize your future. You had nothing to do with the person's hiring; responsibility lies within that person.
Bureau Chief
Jul 7th 2008, 12:04 PM
Well some hand holding is expected this far down the food chain. Im way down the market list and we get a lot of newbies right out of college. I dont necessarily like or dislike this person. Just another star wannabe. This persons appearance is also a minor problem. Dressing from garage sales is not the way to success. Its not likely to affect me either way if this person fails or succeeds..not really, it just makes my job a bit more challenging when they dont put out their best efforts...or are not able to perform up to our minimal standards. No, its not really my job to step in BUT in the best interest of the station, it would help.
SamG
Jul 7th 2008, 12:19 PM
What is your professional relationship to this reporter? Are you anywhere in the supervisory food chain (producer, EP)? And by "bad" is it their presentation or not doing the story assigned?
Clever Login Name
Jul 7th 2008, 12:22 PM
I'm not positive ... and this may just be a guess ... but I believe he's a Bureau Chief.
Fake Post
Jul 7th 2008, 12:54 PM
Sounds like what this reporter needs is a dose of news reality 101.
My guess is that this reporter is female and that there is something more here that doesn't pass the smell test.
Be that as it may, give this person enough rope to hang his/her self. But always keep in the back of your mind that this person will not come through for you. Let them earn your trust and respect.
If they don't, let management see first hand what a bad decision they made.
Good Luck!!!
TVNewsSpy
Jul 7th 2008, 01:02 PM
[quote=Just another star wannabe.[/quote]
In that case, just let this person work how he/she works. If your help is requested, offer it if you want. Otherwise I say there are enough "star wannabes" in the business. Let natural selection take its course!
jrat33
Jul 7th 2008, 01:06 PM
People with large egos often drown due to the weight of their gigantic heads. Don't offer to help him/her out. Let him/her sink, and make sure not to get caught in the undertow.
Bureau Chief
Jul 7th 2008, 01:33 PM
Im actually the assignment editor now. I have direct supervision of this person now. There is NO personal relationship. We have only worked together a couple of times....until now. Its just that I see so many minor things wrong that could be fixed with some effort...but even then Im not sure this person is worth the extra effort to teach em how to be a newsie. Im beginning to think that I will let this person sink or swim on their own. I have NEVER seen a new J school grad that was so entirely clueless about the business!
My guess is that this reporter is female and that there is something more here that doesn't pass the smell test.
Exactly. Otherwise, there'd be no question that "this person" should be let go for lack of competence.
Another OMB
Jul 7th 2008, 02:48 PM
If this is the most clueless person you've ever seen in the business, I'm with those who think it's better to let him/her sink and do us, and the business, a favor. We don't need any more clueless star-wannabes.
If this were a person with a good attitude and some hidden talent, and you thought they could be a lot better--that's one thing. But that doesn't sound like it's the case here.
Spike
Jul 7th 2008, 03:35 PM
Im actually the assignment editor now. I have direct supervision of this person now.
That's interesting. I never worked at a station where an assignment editor was considered the reporters' supervisor. Reporters usually report to the ND, assistant ND or EP, while the assignment editor holds nothing more than a coordinating position, like a dispatcher.
I have, however, encountered assignment editors who thought they were supervisors and frequently overstepped their bounds. That sounds like what you're about to do if you start trying to do your ND's job.
Egbert Roscoe Murrow
Jul 7th 2008, 04:05 PM
Is there someone close to them that can talk them for you? Like a co-worker or a family member?
Consider This
Jul 7th 2008, 04:43 PM
Is it really my business to get involved?
No.
Good God, man, your posts are beginning to read like a more subtle version of that Egbert Roscoe Murrow character. First the suicidal former co-worker; now the incompetent current colleague headed for professional suicide.
You want to do what's best for your station? Do your job. Let the ND do his. He hired this chick. He should deal with getting her up to snuff or getting her out of the way so that someone better can come in.
Bureau Chief
Jul 7th 2008, 04:54 PM
Hey I got promoted into a new gig ok? I was just asking for some advice from others who have been in the biz a while. Geees...ok lets drop all pretext of this being a site about the media...and just talk about something that will get all of you calling each other names again.
In my station..being small market, the AE acts as the assistant ND...so I do have supervisory duties.
I like a challenge and absolutely HATE what tv news has become, I saw a chance to help.
Head Janitor
Jul 7th 2008, 05:16 PM
No good deed goes unpunished.
At the same time, you could also go to the ND with some of your suggestions and ask him/her how to proceed.
That way the ND can either take care of it, or give you the authority to move the young one along.
News Is Broken
Jul 7th 2008, 05:23 PM
I'm not positive ... and this may just be a guess ... but I believe he's a Bureau Chief.
And, judging from his avatar, he looks alot like Wallace.
Another side
Jul 7th 2008, 05:43 PM
You should to be commended for wanting to help. Not only is it your job as part of management, it's the right thing to do ... for all concerned.
My own view is, if you decide to let him "sink or swim on his own" you're ignoring the responsibilities inherent in your promotion. Anyone can walk away from difficulty ... perhaps your ND promoted you because he or she believed you could handle it and NOT walk away.
Everyone deserves a chance, and people should not be fired for failing to correct mistakes they were unaware they were making ... even if they SHOULD have been aware.
Address it head-on. Be kind, be helpful. Be specific. Find something nice to say about his/her performance, too.
If you don't have success, THEN go to your ND and ask for guidance.
Mighty Dyckerson
Jul 7th 2008, 05:49 PM
Hey I got promoted into a new gig ok?
"Promoted" from bureau chief to assignment editor??! Hang in there...soon you'll be custodial engineer!
Just worry about the police scanner and stay the hell out of it.
Spike
Jul 7th 2008, 06:25 PM
In my station..being small market, the AE acts as the assistant ND...so I do have supervisory duties.
In that case, I don't understand the question. If the reporters really answer to you, what exactly is preventing you from exercising your authority over this particular person?
News Is Broken
Jul 7th 2008, 06:32 PM
Alright. A serious response for once.
Let me see if I understand the situation:
You have someone working under you who thinks they are the biggest sensation since sliced bread. In reality, they suck at nearly everything they do. You have to somehow work with this idiot because your boss hired them and if you tell your boss "this guy/gal SUCKS" then you risk making your boss look like an idiot for hiring the idiot. Not a good idea.
LOL... welcome to middle management.
OK, here's what you do:
Set up a weekly 1 on 1 with this employee. Review their work each week. Start with the positives. Identify what went right. Then ask THEM to identify what they feel they could have done better. If they don't offer anything, start with something easy, like "well I noticed alot of "Um's" in that piece. Um makes you sound unsure of yourself, like you don't know what you're talking about. I'd like you to work on that, it will really help you at the network level."
See what I did there? I didn't outright tell this person they suck, but I also let them know that I KNOW that they have room to improve. I also played into that ego a bit. And I gave them a measureable, attainable goal - kill the "ums". Next week, a new goal can be set. And so on.
Now there's the game plan. We're not done yet. Ask yourself: Can this employee be improved enough using this method to pass muster in 8 weeks? If so, then proceed. If not, talk to your ND - you'll be able to go to them with more than "well he/she just sucks in general".
Hope that helped.
Consider This
Jul 7th 2008, 08:17 PM
In my station..being small market, the AE acts as the assistant ND...so I do have supervisory duties.
I like a challenge and absolutely HATE what tv news has become, I saw a chance to help.
That you like a challenge and hate what TV news has become is irrelevant. The help that you want to offer is either part of your job or it isn't. The person to ask is your ND, not us. Let him know of your concerns and your willingness to help.
Unrelated, I will say that this is the first I've heard of someone being promoted to assignment editor. If that's what it is, I say, in all seriousness, congratulations.
Spike
Jul 7th 2008, 08:31 PM
The help that you want to offer is either part of your job or it isn't. The person to ask is your ND, not us.
That's why I wonder if he's really a supervisor or just thinks he is. If he has the authority to critique this reporter, wouldn't he know it?
The Cleaner
Jul 7th 2008, 08:48 PM
I am in a bit of a corner and need your input.
We have a new reporter in the newsroom whos not very good. This person came to us with a glowing resume and good tape...now apparently the product of a professional resume tape company. I didnt hire this person. The ND did.
This reporter started off just plain bad but is improving somewhat over the last few weeks. This newbie is on my shift so I suffer the consequences when this person fails on an assignment. ( Im not indicating which sex this person is)
This reporter also seems to have an over blown opinion of his/her own talent. I wont go into details but its safe to assume this person thinks he/she should be at network level.
I would like to offer advice and assistance to this reporter to help him/her improve but dont know how to approach the reporter to make said offer without offending him/her...and Im not sure that the offer would be seen as such since this person has such a high opinion of him/her self. I have about 60 days before this person will come up for review at the end of his/her probation period which will fix the problem in any event. I dont think they will make it without help. Is this person worth the extra effort to save em? Is it really my business to get involved?
So which one is it, Anna Marie or Chris? My wager is on the girl.
adam & doctor drew
Jul 7th 2008, 09:38 PM
the ND hired this person, not you.
the ND is this person's boss, not you.
I like the previous suggestion about going to the ND with an "offer to help."
the ND may or may not want you involved but at least you should get a straight answer.
chances are excellent the reporter won't listen to you unless made to do so by the ND.
so start there.
s'news
Jul 7th 2008, 10:04 PM
I'm feeling hopelessly old school while reading these posts.
Every newbie needs help. After this person does a story, meet with him or her and talk about it. How hard is that? You supervise this person.
If you feel a need for some cover, tell the ND that you're going to do this.
News is Broken had some nice thoughts. But I don't think you need the formality of a weekly meeting. You might, on a given day, tell a photog to go and review the package that the kid did and then sit with the kid and talk about it. (In my experience, photogs are great teachers. Tell the kid that.) On another day, have one of your best writers do the same thing.
Tell the kid that he has to pass muster by the end of the probation period and that that you want him or her to succeed. Tell the student -- and a newbie is a student, paid in a job or not -- that they still have stuff to learn and that he or she should grab the resources that are available.
It's sink-or-swim after you've done that. The boss hired this kid and had some reason for doing so. Looking the other way while a kid drowns isn't success on your part.
Good luck.
adam & doctor drew
Jul 7th 2008, 10:49 PM
that all sounds good in theory s'news but bureau chief already said this reporter has an inflated view of his/her skills.
that tells me the kid won't be too receptive to some desk guy telling him/her what to do...... UNLESS it's made clear by the ND that bureau chief IS this person's boss and MUST be listened to.
but without the backing of the ND, I fear bureau chief will be banging his head against a wall trying to help someone who already thinks they have all the answers.
Another side
Jul 8th 2008, 12:09 AM
that all sounds good in theory s'news but bureau chief already said this reporter has an inflated view of his/her skills.
that tells me the kid won't be too receptive to some desk guy telling him/her what to do...... UNLESS it's made clear by the ND that bureau chief IS this person's boss and MUST be listened to.
but without the backing of the ND, I fear bureau chief will be banging his head against a wall trying to help someone who already thinks they have all the answers.
I liked s'news' advice (it agreed with mine, so of course, that may have played a role.)
The problem with letting him/her "sink or swim" is it puts Bureau Chief in the position of 60 or 90 days later, going to the ND and saying, "I don't think this person is going to make it."
And when the ND says, "What efforts did you make to help?" the answer is "Well ... none ... I could see from the day he/she started, there was this super-ego, know-it-all attitude and I knew it would be a waste of time."
"So ... you did nothing? For the past 60-90 days you sat and watched us put on an inferior product and ... did nothing???"
Not good.
I agree the backing of the ND may be crucial ... but my opinion is you only seek it if it becomes an issue. If the young reporter responds with, "Well ... I don't have to listen to you ..." then, yes, Bureau Chief might ask the ND to intercede. Otherwise, he should try his best to do the job the ND asked him to do ... in this case, supervise a new reporter.
Spike
Jul 8th 2008, 07:35 AM
The problem with letting him/her "sink or swim" is it puts Bureau Chief in the position of 60 or 90 days later, going to the ND and saying, "I don't think this person is going to make it."
IF that's BC's job. I'm still not convinced that it is. If it were, I don't think he would be asking us whether or not he should do it.
Otherwise, he should try his best to do the job the ND asked him to do ... in this case, supervise a new reporter.
Did the ND ask him to supervise new reporters? Or rather was he promoted into a coordinating position like most assignment editors? If he has the authority to supervise reporters, he should already know that. If he knew he had the authority to supervise reporters and critique their work, he wouldn't be asking us whether he should do it.
I like a challenge and absolutely HATE what tv news has become, I saw a chance to help.Naw, spill it. She's a good-looking woman and you're interested.
If she were an incompetement male, you'd want him fired in favor of someone you didn't have to teach.
ewink
Jul 8th 2008, 10:29 AM
Naw, spill it. She's a good-looking woman and you're interested.
If she were an incompetement male, you'd want him fired in favor of someone you didn't have to teach.
Is there something wrong with that? :cool:
imcrazy
Jul 8th 2008, 10:33 AM
Why does everyone assume this person is a female? I work at a station where the incompetent clueless reporter is a man and it sounds like a similar situation. Except, our station hasn't fired him. Instead, they let him do simple stories, handle him with kid gloves and stick him on the weekends.
Another side
Jul 8th 2008, 10:53 AM
IF that's BC's job. I'm still not convinced that it is. If it were, I don't think he would be asking us whether or not he should do it.
It would be perfectly reasonable if it was his first "management" position and he didn't want to go straight to the ND with it. There's nothing wrong with seeking advice, anonymously, on a board frequented by fellow professionals or former profesionals.
Did the ND ask him to supervise new reporters? Or rather was he promoted into a coordinating position like most assignment editors? If he has the authority to supervise reporters, he should already know that. If he knew he had the authority to supervise reporters and critique their work, he wouldn't be asking us whether he should do it.
Why can't you just offer the guy some advice, if you have any? Why do you have to tear apart his post and question evereything he says. Even if he's exaggerating his authority ... so what? Why do you care?
You're such a pompous, hateful prick. Grow up.
overthehill
Jul 8th 2008, 11:33 AM
I think you have to offer to help the new reporter. If s/he rejects your offer, fine. You may also have to gauge how you view this person versus how others in your newsroom view him/her. Are you being more harsh than others? Have you spoken to the ND about the situation and your idea to offer to help? As AE, do you really have the time to help? Don't make an offer you can't live up to.
In making the offer to help, be strong enough to point out some recent errors, miscues and mis-steps that affected the product on air. Talk about how you might be able to help the reporter be more efficient, a better storyteller and work more easily.
I'd offer help.
Spike
Jul 8th 2008, 12:38 PM
Why can't you just offer the guy some advice, if you have any?
Because any advice he gets here may or may not be appropriate depending on whether he actually has the authority he claims to have. If he really has authority over this person, he can kick his/her ass into shape. If he doesn't have authority over this person, he needs to mind his own business.
Giving him definitive advice when there's a legitimate question of what his role actually is would be irresponsible. Look at the range of responses on this thread already. They contradict each other, and most of them are almost certainly wrong as a result. But we don't know which ones are wrong, because we don't know enough about his authority.
Consider This
Jul 8th 2008, 12:55 PM
The problem with letting him/her "sink or swim" is it puts Bureau Chief in the position of 60 or 90 days later, going to the ND and saying, "I don't think this person is going to make it."
I can't fathom this conversation taking place. If Bureau Chief does not know if it's his place to attempt to help this reporter's job performance, he certainly does not have the standing to tell the ND who's "going to make it."
That's the ND's call and if he had delegated that to Bureau Chief, or made it known that BC's opinion on the subject mattered, we would not be debating this.
It's not necessary anyway. The definitive answer to his question can be found in his ND's office. All he has to do is go in there and ask. Then he'll know that he's acting with the ND's blessing and his backing.
Another side
Jul 8th 2008, 03:30 PM
I need to change my opinion.
In his second post on this thread, Bureau Chief wrote, "No ... it's really not my job to step in, but I would for he good of the station."
Somehow, I missed that.
Clearly, he KNOWS it's not his job, so all that stuff I wrote about fulfilling the expectations and responsibilities of his newly promoted-to position ... was crap. I assumed all along he had been promoted to the "management team" as AE, and that's what I was basing my advice on.
So I'll alter my advice slightly and say stay out othe ND's office unless you're invited in to discuss helping. If the new reporter comes to you for suggestions, or you're in an off-work social setting and alone with him and you want to say something like, "hey ... I was wondering why you do this that way ..." then by all means, go for it.
But my own view is, if he doesn't ask, stay out of it.
Spike
Jul 8th 2008, 04:06 PM
Clearly, he KNOWS it's not his job, so all that stuff I wrote about fulfilling the expectations and responsibilities of his newly promoted-to position ... was crap. I assumed all along he had been promoted to the "management team" as AE, and that's what I was basing my advice on.
It's not crap if he's really the reporter's supervisor, which he claims to be. That's the problem here. He is contradicting himself. That's why I suspect he's inflating his authority like so many other non-management assignment editors and producers.
And it's not entirely the AEs' and producers' faults that they inflate their importance. Sometimes it's the result of a line employee's wishful thinking, but often in the past it has been the result of a manager trying to pretend that the AEs and producers are management to justify piling on responsibilities they shouldn't have or, more importantly, to pay them salary. I've seen APs promoted to producer positions and told by the ND that they have to be paid salary because they're management. In reality, the producers are not management, because they have no hiring/firing or disciplinary authority over anybody.
I've seen AEs with no underlings whatsoever told they are "management" simply because they coordinate and dispatch photogs and reporters. Coordination does not equal supervision. Street cops aren't supervised by the dispatchers. Neither are firemen. They answer to their own managers. So do reporters. Neither dispatchers or assignment editors are usually considered managers just because they tell people where to go.
It's possible an AE is a manager, but that just doesn't seem to be the case here.
s'news
Jul 8th 2008, 09:58 PM
I'd offer to help the kid, other issues notwithstanding. Whether the help is accepted or not is the kid's choice,
The Mockingbird
Jul 14th 2008, 05:57 AM
WHAT IF TEH PERSON HAS DYSLEXIA OR WORSE MARFANS?
/Save
wxcookie
Jul 14th 2008, 06:03 AM
It's not really your business, If he/she is really as bad as you say the news director will eventually have that all important conversation him/her. My advice is to stay out of it.
The problem with letting him/her "sink or swim" is it puts Bureau Chief in the position of 60 or 90 days later, going to the ND and saying, "I don't think this person is going to make it."
And when the ND says, "What efforts did you make to help?" the answer is "Well ... none ... I could see from the day he/she started, there was this super-ego, know-it-all attitude and I knew it would be a waste of time."
"So ... you did nothing? For the past 60-90 days you sat and watched us put on an inferior product and ... did nothing???"
Not good.Is the BC's job to provide OJT? Was he asked to take on this additional responsibility?
No.
If not, he's probably got enough to do without training a new reporter who thinks she's good enough already.
Spike
Jul 14th 2008, 11:13 AM
Is the BC's job to provide OJT? Was he asked to take on this additional responsibility?
No.
If not, he's probably got enough to do without training a new reporter who thinks she's good enough already.
If you look down a few posts from the one you quoted, you'll see that AS changed his mind about that. It's not fair to pile on now when he has already modified his opinion.
Another side
Jul 14th 2008, 12:36 PM
I agree. *smile*
And thanks.
that's life
Jul 14th 2008, 01:18 PM
I dont think they will make it without help. Is this person worth the extra effort to save em? Is it really my business to get involved?
Ugh one of those, "I'm going to be the next Katie Couric when I grow up!".... unless she's a she and is really good looking and "snoozes" on the job, it's hopeless.
My opinion- look out for yourself. They will learn the hard way. You know, the old Rod Stewart song...
I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger. They'll just have to learn about the world on their own. Maybe they were meant for PR lol