The Glamorous Life of a News Reporter

Glamorous.

Use that term loosely. 

Very loosely.

"Do you have hair and makeup people?"

"Does someone write your scripts for you?"

That would be a No and a No. If those magical hair and makeup people existed, maybe I wouldn't get the rude comments on KUTV's Facebook page talking about how my hair looks terrible. :)

I have the chance to work with some Incredible and Talented Journalists

Any television reporter will tell you Glamorous doesn't come to mind during those 7 hour stake-outs covering a hostage situation, in the middle of nowhere, when you are confined to a live truck with no hour lunch break...or any water or bathroom nearby for that matter. Or like two weekends ago, when the photographer said, as we were driving to a crime scene,

'This is neighborhood I refuse to do a live shot in once the sun goes down.'

Covering Mudslide Clean-Up in Saratoga Springs

Neither of us felt like getting shot or mugged that night. We could choose our live shot location, but you rarely get to choose your news story. The news of the moment chooses you. The past four days I have worked at channel 2; I have been in a different neighborhood, with different people -- same scenario. Murder. My job is to knock on as many doors as possible. Find out what neighbors heard, what they saw, and how they feel - all in order to paint a picture for viewers; getting the information out there so that a suspect can be caught.   As I was knocking on doors, walking around the crime scene tape in my 4-inch heels, I was thinking about BYU Broadcast Journalism Brittany.  She was excited and ready for a challenge.  However, She didn't have ANY idea that this is what it would be like.

It's taxing. It's hard.

And it's so much more than the glamorous surface stereotype. There's a huge responsibility to be accurate. Journalism is an amazing animal. I am intrigued with the ability to help and educate -- when stories are presented the right way. Two weeks ago, covering another homicide, I included pictures of the murder suspect and getaway car in my story.  Myself and other reporters flooded the television with this information. The suspect ended up turning himself in. Officers said he felt like he couldn't hide because the media was diligent in covering the story. It makes me feel good to know this man authorities call dangerous is in custody, and I was a small part of that. 

Covering Wildfires in Summit County

There was a time when I worked full time as a television news reporter. It was before I had kids. Having children has made me more sensitive to the news (which is often sad...at times --tragic) that I cover. When I was pregnant with Sienna, I covered the recovery of a body from a river. A woman had fallen to her death, while hiking. She was young, single and an inspirational school teacher. It was days before authorities found her body. Once she was discovered, it offered some closure to her grieving family. There was a press conference, and the girl's father spoke to the media. He was heartbroken. Soul shattered. I remember holding the stick mic, watching him sob as he spoke about the loss of his daughter. Hot tears swelled up in my eyes. One tear rolled down my cheek, as I tried to comprehend the tragic reality facing this family. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the photographer I was working with, shake his head with disgust. When the interview was over, the photog looked me in the eye and said,

"You're weak. I have covered dozens of other stories much sadder than this. That wasn't sad. You shouldn't have cried."

We went on to do two live shots. As I drove home that day, I really questioned if I was a good reporter. My heart was heavy for that family. I cared more about their loss, than the emotional soundbite that would hit air. I think journalism is more than facts and figures. It's about sharing a feeling. I got into this business with the belief that I could educate and inspire -- even change lives! And then the reality of crime and house fires slapped me in the face. But that doesn't mean I don't believe in my career path. I do. I will continue to care....continue to fight back tears on those difficult stories...and continue to grow, and hopefully help people along the way.