Media personality Zhu Shujuan talks about how to become an independent journalist from writing to management
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Over the years, Zhu Shujuan’s independent reporting has promoted the awakening of Taiwanese civil society to environmental protection. She insists on working for environmental sustainability and survival justice. From mainstream media to a one-person independent reporter, what kind of “independent journalist” path has Zhu Shujuan taken?
On the afternoon of Saturday, September 16, 2023, [Media Literacy Education Foundation] (https://www.facebook.com/tvcrcenter) invites everyone to listen to the sharing of this outstanding reporter. Zhu Shujuan will tell you how to run a long-term and sustainable journalist career.
As early as September 1, I learned about this lecture, and I signed up immediately.
As the organizer wrote in the promotional copy on event webpage: “Over the years, Zhu Shujuan’s independent reporting has promoted Taiwan’s civil society. Awakening to environmental protection. She insists on working for environmental sustainability and survival justice. From mainstream media to a one-person [independent reporter] (https://axiao.tw/Journalist’s Road to Independence-b94dab729836), what kind of “independent journalist” path has Zhu Shujuan taken? ”
[Zhu Shujuan](https://axiao.tw/Journalist’s Road to Independence-b94dab729836) started working as a reporter for the “United Daily News” in 1998. She started working on environmental protection in 2001 and handled major news such as the Armas grounding and oil leakage. In early 2009, the newspaper office was retrenching staff and she was laid off. Zhu Shujuan was unwilling to give up reporting. One day while chatting with a blogger, she suddenly thought: “If I set up a blog, then I might as well continue writing reports.” In this way, she started the [Environmental Reporting Blog] (https://shuchuan7.blogspot.com) after leaving her job, focusing on environmental issues such as Zhongke Phase III, Zhongke Phase IV, and Guoguang Petrochemical. At the end of the next year, she won the Excellence in Journalism Award and the Mr. Zeng Xubai Journalism Award as an independent reporter, ranking first among mass media reporters.
Although I have not been a reporter for a long time, I have always followed the activities of senior Zhu Shujuan and often hang out on her blog. So, as soon as I heard that the Media Literacy Education Foundation was going to invite Teacher Zhu to share, I signed up immediately!
Teacher Zhu said at the beginning: “Every time I see a young reporter wanting to be a reporter, I feel very excited.” She politely said that every reporter has his or her own tips for running news, and she often learns from her peers.
In this lecture, Teacher Zhu will share with you his experience from writing to business.
She said clearly at the outset that if you want to establish professional reporting, you must first choose a professional route. Some people may think that being a reporter means being able to write about everything, but Mr. Zhu doesn’t think so. Because many news interviewing skills can be taught by yourself, but you have to think about what you really want to write in your report? This is one of the most important keys for journalists to develop.
Mr. [Huang Nian] (https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%BB%83%E5%B9%B4) once said the writing method of “butterfly wings”. The two wings of a butterfly are the focus of its whole body, and the rest are branches. The principle of writing is to grasp these two wings (the focus) and ignore the others.
In addition, Teacher Zhu also reminded everyone to pay attention to accumulating connections. When interviewing news, don’t just ask the spokesperson of the organization. You should also try to make friends with the section chiefs or supervisors of each organization. You should be able to grow with them and learn from them. Moreover, try to interview as many different people as possible. As the number of reports increases, your network of contacts will continue to expand.
Teacher Zhu pointed out: “Unlike reporters within the system, especially when you are an independent reporter, you have to tell others what you are going to do in every report. In other words, it is easy for others to see your views and professionalism between the lines.”
[Independent Journalist](https://axiao.tw/Journalist’s Road to Independence-b94dab729836) refers to reporters who are not employed full-time by mass media, report news as their main occupation, and are independent from the government, political parties, and consortiums, including Freelance Journalists who contribute to mass media and independent media workers who start their own media; they may be journalists who have left the mass media, or they may be citizen writers who have never worked in the mass media.
Independent journalists have developed a variety of survival strategies, and have helped and formed alliances with each other, competing and cooperating with professional, creative and mass media.
Teacher Zhu doesn’t think that everyone doesn’t read the news. She actually has great confidence in readers in Taiwan. She said that she often writes about some very difficult topics, including some difficult laws. Just like when she was recently writing about the issue of carbon tax, she originally wanted to say who would care about carbon tax, but she did not expect that the click rate of the article was very high. It is obvious that people not only like short and light news, but also consume in-depth reports.
She changed the subject and talked about the development of young journalists. She suggested that friends who are interested in journalism should not only expand their interpersonal relationships, but also develop their own learning and accumulation methods at different stages.
Not only to accumulate reports, but also to accumulate a sense of accomplishment!
Teacher Zhu specifically mentioned that many reporters now put their books away after writing articles or shooting videos, saying that they would take them out when they need to use them. But if any material is not sorted out in time, as long as a month passes, you will no longer want to sort it out. Therefore, she suggested that everyone should think carefully, how to accumulate your own life?
Although Mr. Zhu has been in the industry for a long time and is well-known in the media circle, he actually studied at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology at the beginning, not the major in journalism or journalism as everyone imagined. She smiled and said that she was supposed to work at TSMC. Unexpectedly, after changing many jobs, she suddenly had the opportunity to work at United Newspaper, and she fell in love with this job from that time on. It has been almost 25 years since I made it all the way to this point!
She said that she has never thought about changing to another job, mainly because there are so many details in the job of a reporter, and she can never finish learning or completing it!
Many people have asked Teacher Zhu, “Why do you want to be an independent journalist?” She smiled and said, “Actually, I think that is my life.”
Back in 2009, no one had heard of anyone who could be an independent journalist. However, since the idea of becoming an independent journalist came up, she began to overcome some difficulties step by step.
She began to practice saying repeatedly in front of the mirror: “[I am Zhu Shujuan, an independent reporter from “Environmental Report”] (http://commagazine.twmedia.org/?p=2200)”, and finally took a step forward.
She especially likes a line said by the protagonist Mark Watney (played by Mike Damon) in the movie “[Jade Rescue] (https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-tw/Jade Rescue)”: “I can guarantee that sometimes, everything will not happen as planned. You can sit back and wait, or work hard to survive.” Teacher Zhu encouraged everyone that as long as you work hard to survive, life will be full of hope.
When it comes to How to start being an independent journalist, especially if you don’t have the identity or resources of an organization, what should you do? Teacher Zhu said that the interview itself is a difficult thing. Just telling the other person what you want to do requires you to wait for a long time before you can go in. Although there are many problems in front of us, as long as we have the will, we can come through like her and slowly overcome some difficulties.
If you work in the media, reporters have to constantly pursue the issues at hand, and have to let go of those that are not newsworthy for the time being, let alone pursue an issue for more than ten years. Independent journalists do have an advantage in this regard (https://www.feja.org.tw/49576).
“I think every journalist, especially every independent journalist, should have his or her own blog. Facebook alone is not enough, because blogs can often do things that Facebook can never do. For example, a blog can be clearly classified, and you can also accumulate your own works.”
Teacher Zhu pointed out that she puts all [manuscripts that she has collaborated with all media on](https://www.storm.mg/authors/991/Zhu Shujuan) on her blog. In this way, you can be “seen” by the world with the help of Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Of course, it also includes other media and public departments and enterprises.
Many people mistakenly believe that in this community era, social media is king. On the other hand, blogs seem to have fallen out of fashion, but this is not the case.
With today’s development, Teacher Zhu said that the importance of blogs is increasing day by day. Therefore, she suggested that young friends who want to be independent journalists should have their own blog. What is the biggest function of a blog? It allows you to categorize and save all your works, and then establish a direct relationship with readers.
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A student from the Department of Communication once asked Teacher Zhu how to apply for a job at a newspaper and how to write a resume? Teacher Zhu said that in fact, a blog is your resume. As long as you accumulate your works well, you can naturally increase your chances of being hired or cooperating.
Teacher Zhu gave an example. In his past work experience, he had many cooperation opportunities that started with blogging. There are also many agencies and organizations that recognized her because they had read her blog beforehand, and even extended an olive branch.
She reminded everyone that even if the click rate of the blog is getting lower and lower, we must remember: everything is written for ourselves and for issues that we are interested in or think are important. In addition to writing carefully, you should also remember that your blog should not be isolated from the world, but you should also try to connect with [mainstream media] (https://www.businessweekly.com.tw/Search?keyword=Zhu Shujuan).
Teacher Zhu said with a smile: “We classmates in the journalism department often debate one thing, which is, in the final analysis, is content the king (https://hahow.in/cr/content-power)? Or is the platform the king? In my opinion, both are kings. Although the platform is big, if it is full of some No matter how good your blog is, if the click-through rate is not high, the spread rate will be reduced. Therefore, although we often talk about the mainstream media, after all, the power of that platform is still very powerful, so it is not enough to write on your own blog, and you need to try to contact all the mainstream media. ”
“Another benefit of writing a blog is that when you look back on your life journey one day, blogging will allow you to have a complete journey. I think people have been doing something in one place for ten years, and then you look back at yourself. If nothing is left, I think that would be a very scary thing.”
Teacher Zhu also suggested that everyone must use formal [news specifications] (http://web.pts.org.tw/~rnd/p1/2014/02/BCC%20New%20Media%20Regulation.pdf) to write reports. Just like no one has ever thought that bloggers can get recognition from journalism awards with their blogs, but Teacher Zhu did it!
“I have participated in three journalism awards with my blog, but before I won these three journalism awards, blogs were actually not allowed to participate. Because the organizers would think that blogs are not news, and at most they are just personal expressions of emotions. But since I won the award, this rule has been broken!”
Therefore, Teacher Zhu suggested that everyone do some homework and get some clues from the list of finalists and winners of the [Excellence in Journalism Award] (https://www.feja.org.tw/67960) over the years. At this time, you will suddenly discover that Taiwan’s media is actually changing. Just like the shortlist of the Mr. Zeng Xubai Journalism Award just announced recently, “Wowo”, a media that focuses on in-depth reporting on animal issues, has been shortlisted!
My [biggest feeling] (https://www.feja.org.tw/55736) after becoming an independent journalist is that the restricted space and time in the past have been opened up, and I have the freedom to tell the truth, including interview methods and reporting formats. How far you can go next depends on you.
Therefore, as the media continues to advance, independent journalists naturally do not have only one form. There are many forms of reporting in this era, so Teacher Zhu reminds everyone: when you publish content on your blog, YouTube or any of your platforms, you must use formal news standards to write it, and don’t just express emotions.
When talking about the cultivation of independent journalists, Mr. Zhu said that it is important to formulate your own reporting goals at the beginning. At the same time, we must also think about: What exactly do I want to position myself? What am I going to hold on to? How do I accumulate my abilities? There are also eight words that are very important, which are “never forget your original intention and never lose your enthusiasm.”
“I think passion is very important! Because a reporter’s writing and editing skills are the most basic and can be learned. But if you don’t have passion, you won’t be able to do this. If you don’t have passion, you will find it very difficult to pursue the truth halfway. Not only will you easily get discouraged, but you will also doubt yourself; you will even think that it is worth putting so much effort into that report?”
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Teacher Zhu reminded everyone that everyone will go through the stage of doubting themselves, but only enthusiasm can make you move forward.
The environment will determine the growth process of a reporter, so Teacher Zhu recommends that everyone choose their environment and route carefully. In addition to writing instant news, you should also learn to write columns and special topics, and even try to write it into [a book] after the special topic is over (https://www.books.com.tw/exep/assp.php/vista/products/0010921617?utm_source=vista&utm_medium=ap-books&utm_content=recommend&utm_campaign=ap-202309).
“The ability of a reporter can be seen from the production of special topics. I think the experience of writing special topics is also an exercise that makes us reporters better and better.” Teacher Zhu said that when we produce special topics or write books, it is very different from writing ordinary reports or articles! Think about it, what is the difference between writing a thousand words and writing six thousand words? Six thousand words is definitely not an extension of one thousand words, it is a different narrative structure. And writing books allows us to practice storytelling.
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Teacher Zhu pointed out: “I think the career of an independent journalist is relatively sustainable. What is sustainability? It does not mean that you are asked to do one thing for a lifetime. You will find that many people have been journalists, but the most important thing is that we hope that what we want to do will not be blocked for some reason. It is easier to be an independent reporter than before. This is the best gift for us journalists in this era. In the Internet age, there are various forms of news, so we can pursue the career and life we want in our own way.”
She said sincerely: “You are all young, but when you reach my age or level, you will find that many things in your life are actually just for yourself.”
Finally, Teacher Zhu encouraged everyone to do whatever they want and do it quickly! I hope that what I do is meaningful and can have a positive significance for this society.
★ Further reading:
- Some suggestions for journalists’ management
- [Independent reporter Zhu Shujuan: I am proud to be a reporter. Independent reporters are by no means alone] (https://mol.mcu.edu.tw/Independent reporter Zhu Shujuan: I am proud to be a reporter-Independent Journalist Jue/)
- Ten tips to write good news and realize the sustainable journalist dream
- How to write good news? Senior reporter Zhu Shujuan: The first thing to do is to develop a good habit of seeking truth
- Independent reporter Zhu Shujuan: Take the road less traveled
- Zhu Shujuan｜One person’s newspaper industry
- Taiwan Environmental Events Behind the News—Exclusive Interview with Zhu Shujuan “Walking the Road Less Traveled”
- Zhu Shujuan｜Ten Years of Independent Journalism (1): Independent Journalists’ Survival Skills in Determining False Information
- Zhu Shujuan｜Ten Years of Independent Journalists (2): Writing Strategies of Independent Journalists
- Zhu Shujuan｜Ten Years of Independent Journalists (3): Reporting Dilemmas of Independent Journalists
- Zhu Shujuan | Ten Years of Independent Journalism (4): In the face of paid competition from the Internet, where is the snow country for independent journalists?
- Zhu Shujuan | Ten Years of Independent Journalists (5): How to maintain the writing feel?
- Zhu Shujuan | Ten Years of Independent Journalists (6): How to choose a reporting field?
- Zhu Shujuan | Ten Years of Independent Journalists (7): Who are the reports written for?
- Zhu Shujuan｜Ten Years of Independent Journalists (8): Efficient Interviews
- Zhu Shujuan｜Ten Years of Independent Journalists (9): How to organize interview materials
- Zhu Shujuan｜Ten Years of Independent Journalists (10): How to Set Issues
- “As an independent journalist─Ten tips for writing good news”
- “Walking the road less traveled: An independent journalist writes to you and me who live together on this island - air, water and land”
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★ Photo Credit: Media Literacy Education Foundation
Further reading
- Media Person Zhu Shujuan: From writing to business, how to become an independent journalist
- Media Person Zhu Shujuan: From writing to management, how to become a professional journalist
- Media person Zhu Shujuan talks about how to become a professional journalist from writing to management
