By Lian Bunny
News Editor
Finding newsworthy stories within the “Bona Bubble” is a job in itself. As News Editor, I try to focus on assigning stories that students really would benefit from reading. Each news story must directly relate to St. Bonaventure in some way, whether it is through an alumnus or a teacher or a student.
To get ideas, I often peruse the Notice Board (okay, I am one of the few that reads them all the way through). However, there is a difference between a press release and a news article. Press releases tend to leave unanswered questions and present one side of a story. For a news article, the intention is to fill in the blanks left by the press release and present the other sides of the story. So, when I assign a writer to report on a press release, good interview questions become even more important.
In addition to the Notice Board, I check Business First, The Buffalo News and The Olean Times Herald for mentions of St. Bonaventure. This gives me a different perspective of the campus and more information on the financial/business side of the university.
But the best method of brainstorming is still word of mouth. Since people know I am the news editor I often get story suggestions from professors and other students. You learn to develop networking relationships with other clubs, student leaders, faculty advisers, etc. These story suggestions are always welcomed and carefully considered.
When I am in need of a news story idea I send out a group message to my friends, asking if there are any potential ideas being discussed on campus. Nine times out of 10, I have at least two story ideas within the hour. Each person interacts with a different group of people in different classes and campus clubs.
As mentioned, I try to pay attention to missing information students need to know. I try to think of what I would want to read, as a student at St. Bonaventure. This has lead to more unorthodox story assignments such as housing information, campus winter cancellation policy procedures, explanation to the Internet crashing, etc. I am trying to branch out from the information students already receive from the Notice Board and other press releases.
I thoroughly enjoy being News Editor for The Bona Venture. It’s empowering to know that I influence what stories we publish. The Bona Venture has a responsibility to relay information to campus, and I take this responsibility very seriously. Anyone is welcome to send me news story suggestions at bunnyla13@bonaventure.edu!
