This Week’s News

The most important news story of the week was the talk of a 700 Billion dollar bailout that the United States government would take on. There are many strong opinions on both sides of the argument from politicians. One of the reasons this new bailout is in theheadlines is because of the presidential election. This bailout is a problem and it is a problem now. Both McCain and Obama have their opinions on it and are creating plans to help the economy with it. The McCain and Obama campaigns do not want to take too strong a stand in these times for fear of losing votes. Some believe that the bailout will have the same affect that the bailout  did after the great depression when the government bought up many homes and then the real estate went up and the government made a profit. Others believe this bailout will weaken the economy even more and cause more taxes for many financially exhausted citizens. This bailout will affect the economy and the citizens who pay the taxes for a long time to come whether the bailout it happens or it not.

From Busboy to Influential Writer

Most people never get the opportunity to put their money where there mouth is, but Bill Burt, who is now the Executive Sports Editor of the Eagle-Tribune, got that chance when he went from busboy to journalist. Bill Burt works as the Executive Sports Editor of the Eagle-Tribune, which is a newspaper company on the North Shore of Massachusetts. When asked how Bill got his job, he said it happened mainly by chance. Bill was working at a restaurant in North Andover where he argued sports a couple times a week with the sports editor of a local newspaper. After Bill graduated college the sports editor asked Bill “Why don’t you put your money where your mouth is” and it’s been seventeen years since that Bill has been working for the Eagle Tribune.

Mr. Burt has a lot of unconventional but useful advice for prospective journalists, “The only schooling/training I deem necessary in this business is knowledge 
of the language, ability to communicate, and ability to see a story that would interest people”. When asked about the touchy subject of the market decreasing more and more for print journalists Bill replied “The industry, sadly, is in the decline right now. The Internet has hurt us a bit because younger people, who haven’t been reading papers much over the last two decades, are reading us even less”. On the contrary, when asked Mr. Burt how technology has helped his field, “The Internet and computers have made this business so much easier and faster. I don’t think I’d be in this business if not for Internet or computers , our business could never go back to the old way”. Bill is very adamant when driving home the point that a good journalist doesn’t need college, a good journalist needs “the intangibles” and to have the right personality for the job. “The ability to identify a good story is the most important aspect of what a “good” journalist does and theyn communicating it on paper, the best journalists are usually the smartest people, and by that I mean they have not only intelligence but good street sense. As I noted before, the best writers get information other writers don’t”.

The advice Burt gives to all up and coming journalists are these three things, 

1. Don’t get into it for the money. You could make a nice living, but you’re friends, some who you think aren’t half as smart as you are, will probably driving better cars and live in bigger houses. But you will be happier with your job, trust me. 2. Be ready to work your butt off, especially the first six or seven years while you are single. Be ready to put in 50, 60 and even 70 hours. That’s what it takes, really. This is not a 9-to-5 job by any means. Be ready to give up weekends, too. Sports happen on weekends and night. 3. Be patient. This might be the most important trait you have.

One of the most rewarding experiences of Bill’s job is the creative aspect of it. Bill enjoys that everyday is different and that he works with people that love what they do, ‘ Honestly, everyday I look up at the clock wish it would slow down. Time flies because I’m having fun”. The competition fuels Burt to put out better articles faster, ”I like to win. And I am always trying to beat the bigger papers with look, content and stories”.

Burt’s daily basis starts at nine in the morning when he helps distribute the paper, next he prepares ideas for articles for the staff meeting at noon. After lunch Burt calls other sports writers and tries to get more stories for the next issue. Bill Burt ends the day by writing for his column, which comes out every Sunday in the Eagle-Tribune. In order for his day to go smoothly Burt needs everyone to work in a timely manner, “We have a lot of stories that need to be done in a timely fashion for deadlines. And if you’re slow, we are in trouble”. Asking the right questions during interviews is key for a good article to be written in the office. The right questions have to be asked, you can’t leave the interview leaving questions unanswered “You must be prepared and think quick, especially when dealing with professional athletes who usually don’t give you much time”.

When asked about what are the most rewarding things about his job Burt replied, “I’ve been to both Super Bowl wins for the Patriots. I’ve seen the Celtics win a championship. And I’ve been to about 50 local events that were as exciting as anything I’ve ever been to”. Above all the most rewarding thing for Bill Burt is his influence, “I love this job because I know I have an affect on others”.