One of broadcast journalism's award-winning figures stressed honesty and integrity - with a sense of humor - in the news to Ball State University students Wednesday in Bracken Library.
"There will be no wardrobe malfunctions, and I won't use any "f" words, especially forgive, forget or forever," Dawson "Tack" Nail, executive editor emeritus at Warren Communications News, said as he began to speak.
Despite his light tone, Nail gave students advice based on his life experiences on how they can be successful in journalism.
The most important skills for journalists, he said, are the ability to listen, the ability to understand and the shrewdness to never rely on one source for information.
"If someone tells you something controversial, check it up," he said. "Don't report something that's not confirmed."
Nail said establishing trust with sources is key for journalists.
"If the people you're dealing with trust you, they'll call you, and you'll gain their respect," Nail said.
Nail began his career in 1955, after receiving a master's in journalism from Oklahoma State University. He has spent most of his 51-year career in broadcast working for Broadcasting magazine and Warren Communications.
"A man with his experience is a very important resource to communications students," Brian Miller, Ball State telecommunications student, said.
He was inducted into the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1994, Nail received the National Association of Broadcaster's Spirit of Broadcasting award.
"This is a person who has been recognized around the country and around the world," Barry Umansky, Ball State professor of telecommunications, said. "The stories he broke have been picked up by publications around the country, and he might be the most trusted and accurate news reporter ever."
Nail said the biggest change in broadcast journalism is the emphasis on promotion and hype.
"20 years ago, you'd never see Dan Rather say, 'Stay tuned for 60 minutes, where we'll talk about item one and two and so on,'" he said.
With an ever-increasing number of news media, competition between news outlets leads to sensationalism, which blurs the line between news and entertainment, Nail said.
"His message was be sincere with what you do and with your work," Kevin Mealy, Ball State TCOM student, said. "That's what he did with his speech: presented himself as he was. That's why he was so successful in his field for so many years."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
