Journalists were part of discussions with Bucks County Community College students and the public on Wednesday and Thursday.
Bucks County Community College’s journalism program invited newspaper, online, and radio reporters to take part in the forums at their Newtown Township campus.
On Wednesday, Gatehouse Media Regional Executive Editor Shane Fitzgerald, The Athletic senior writer Dana O’Neil, and Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist Mike Sielski took part in the discussion.
Thursday morning’s forum featured Bucks County Courier Times reporter Marion Callahan, LevittownNow.com and NewtownPANow.com Publisher Tom Sofield, and WBCB-AM News Director Rick Rickman.
The journalists, who gathered in student paper The Centurion’s newsroom, spoke about their careers, the changing nature of the news business, and answered questions on a variety of topics.
Callahan gave an overview of her award-winning coverage of the opioid epidemic, while Sofield spoke of coverage of the Cosmo DiNardo and Sean Kratz’s cases and his daily responsibilities. Rickman detailed an average work day, which often starts before sunrise as he prepares broadcasts for the day ahead.
Professor Tony Rogers said the forums are “a really great way for our students to get a sense of what a career in journalism is really like, and how to break into the business.”
