The term “scoop” with respect to news doesn’t deserve the negative connotation it often receives.
As a journalist, there’s a great thrill in truth-telling—an essential aspect of the profession. It’s about uncovering the truth and landing that big “scoop.” Yet, some stories whisper rather than shout—these quieter tales reveal the heartbeat of small communities.
Journalists aren’t only focused on exposing the seedy underbelly of our subjects. We also aim, and make it a habit of highlighting positive initiatives, even though many people see us as only doing the former.
The term “scoop” has evolved over time and varies with each perspective, but its core meaning persists—it’s when a reporter beats everyone else to break an important story.
Before social media dominated breaking news, if a rival paper broke a story that yours missed, they held the “scoop” until the next day. Only then, would your paper finally have the chance to respond.
Securing a “scoop” often evokes the images of fierce competition between journalists at the same publication vying for a big story—but such rivalry is simply part of any journalist’s nature.
While the definition of “scoop” may seesaw throughout time, for me as a student journalist, its core meaning remains the same. At The Journal, we cover everything related to Kingston, Queen’s University, and the AMS, much like how The Western Gazette reports on London, the University of Western Ontario, and the University Students’ Council (USC), our AMS counterpart.
This principle applies to every city, school, and student union that student newspapers cover. Without these papers and student reporters, many “big” and “small” initiatives would go unnoticed. They’re dedicated to shining a light on every aspect of their communities, ensuring there’s always a “scoop” to serve because no other outlet covers these topics with the same depth and commitment.
When we request an interview for a local bike race fundraiser, faculty society pancake breakfast, or new student service opening, our goal is to spotlight these community events and the meaningful work being done for them to occur.
There’s no hidden agenda—unless something negative comes to light that requires reporting. Even then, the intent is to report on all things of journalistic interest to students, especially as the University’s primary media outlet.
While national media often pursue major headlines, university papers and local outlets are the backbone of community reporting. We value covering everything from city-wide stories to the local ones, because every piece of news, big or small, is important to our community and a “scoop” on its own.
Oftentimes, smaller stories are dismissed as “fluff,” another common journalism jargon. Yet, without these pieces, it’s impossible to balance the weight of heavy news and create a society where every voice is heard.
Journalism isn’t inherently evil. Its core mission is to hold leaders able. Yes, not every journalist is or will be 100 per cent committed to truth-telling, but the majority do take on the onus of prioritizing transparency because it’s part of the job.
The broader stigma labelling journalism as malicious often leads people to believe reporters are only after dramatic “scoops.” In reality, an equal but true definition of a “scoop” is focusing on the “small stuff.” This is stuff no one else will look into, despite its equal importance.
Skylar is a fourth-year Political Studies student and one of The Journal’s Editors in Chief.
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].