Malinda Aston, new media adviser for the Indiana Daily Student, sent me a link to the IDS editor-in-chief applications for spring. Every semester, they put the applications online. This year, Malinda put the applications into a Flash site, practicing a new skill to pass on to the students. #

The thing that struck me about the application was the first question asked of prospective EICs. #

#

The question is: #

1. Web site and Becoming a Leader in New Media.  We continue to make progress in moving ahead in our developments with new media and our daily Web site, www.idsnews.com. More readers are turning to this outlet as their source for IUB news. As editor, you must continue to lead us in “reinventing” the IDS into a comprehensive information center. Even the professional media are looking to student media such as ours to lead them into the next generation of news media. How do you plan to restructure your newsroom so that your management team and your desk editors may fully realize their obligation and potential in reaching readers in our expanding multi-media format of print and 24-7 online media? This question will be much of your future in journalism and may well be a substantial part of the future of the Indiana Daily Student. #

Not a question about “how do you plan to continue doing what we’ve been doing?” or “what are your big plans for the paper?” but a question about how do you plan to restructure (reinvent) for the future. There’s an understanding implicit in the question that the IDS must become a “comprehensive information center,” and the link between that transformation and the future careers of IDS staffers in journalism. #

Kudos to David Adams and the rest of the IDS crew for placing new media front and center in the minds of student leaders. #

You might go ahead and check out what each candidate wrote in their response, as well. #

While I wouldn’t want you to blatantly copy the above question when your new student editors are hired (whatever that process may be), I’d definitely suggest a similar question be raised for the next EIC on every campus. #

Print Friendly