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Thursday, May 24, 2012

Learning the ropes. Again.

Posted Thursday, August 13, 2009, at 10:07 AM

Every newsroom has a unique collective personality that draws on the individual idiosyncracies of those who work there.

Right now, I'm learning how each reporter and editor at the Times-Gazette contributes to the success of the newspaper and how I can enhance everyone's efforts.

At the same time, I'm learning new computer apps and systems, and there is a lot to learn.

Everyone has been very accommodating and I am enjoying my time in Shelbyville. And that is important.

You see, journalism has never been work for me. It has always been fun and I want to keep it that way.

Most journalists are insatiably curious, which is why we ask so many questions, sometimes almost to the point of seeming obnoxious. The questions, even the dumb ones, are important to us.

Yes, we could refrain from asking questions with obvious answers, but sooner or later that habit would result in errors in stories. So, it's better to ask the dumb questions than to assume answers.


Comments
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]

Welcome Kent. You have the right man because my field of expertise is asking dumb questions.

-- Posted by leeiii on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, at 10:22 AM

You'll do wonderfully.

-- Posted by gottago on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, at 10:50 AM

Shelbyville and its newspaper are fortunate to have you Kent. I can honestly say you have impressed me for years before you came here.

-- Posted by bomelson on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, at 3:44 PM

I will reserve judgement till you tackle some of the more sensitive topics here. Illegals, Tyson,Obama, Somalis, home boys politics. Let's see if you are made of sterner stuff than your earlier counterpart.

-- Posted by Chef Boy R.D. on Thu, Aug 13, 2009, at 7:53 PM


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Kent Flanagan
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Kent Flanagan joined the Shelbyville Times-Gazette in July 2009 after finishing four years as journalist in residence at Middle Tennessee State University in July. Before his venture into academia, Flanagan was bureau chief in Nashville for The Associated Press from August 1983 until November 2004. He's also been AP correspondent in Bismarck, N.D., news editor in Columbia, S.C. and newsman in Philadelphia, Pa. Flanagan is a graduate of Angelo State University, served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam and worked at newspapers in San Angelo, Texas, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and San Antonio, Texas.
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