Nieman 80: Journalism That Makes a Difference
How are great journalists made? Often, it's pieces of great journalism that help form them, influencing their lives or careers in an indelible way. To celebrate the Nieman Foundation for Journalism's 80th anniversary in 2018, we asked Nieman Fellows to share works of journalism that in some way left a significant mark on them, their work or their beat, their country, or their culture. The result is what Nieman curator Ann Marie Lipinski calls "an accidental curriculum that has shaped generations of journalists"—a collection of 80 articles and investigations, books, photos, cartoons, podcasts, virtual reality installations, and more, works that have endured long after Niemans first read, listened, or viewed them. Niemans reflect on the 80 pieces of journalism that have influenced them most.
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More Nieman Fellows on exemplary journalism that influenced them[/sidebar]
I first saw the magnificent three-part documentary series “The Champions” when I was in journalism school in Ottawa. It stood far apart from any other Canadian journalism I had seen, heard, or read up to that point. Master documentarian Donald Brittain illuminated recent Canadian history in a way that was not only informative but also dramatic and amusing. It brought alive the often overlooked parts of our nation’s history and its players, allowing me to see Canada as more than a dull little nation that had no drama or excitement. It taught me about more than politics; as a journalist-in-training it showed me the power of storytelling. When I became a political journalist covering Parliament, I tried to emulate that style of sharp, pointed analysis, of creating valuable context, of carefully crafted phrases and vibrant images. I am certain I never lived up to Brittain’s standards but just reaching for them made me a better journalist.
[sidebar head="The Champions" Deck="Written and directed by Donald Brittain
National Film Board of Canada, 1978" style="full"]
Documentary
[/sidebar]
More Nieman Fellows on exemplary journalism that influenced them[/sidebar]
I first saw the magnificent three-part documentary series “The Champions” when I was in journalism school in Ottawa. It stood far apart from any other Canadian journalism I had seen, heard, or read up to that point. Master documentarian Donald Brittain illuminated recent Canadian history in a way that was not only informative but also dramatic and amusing. It brought alive the often overlooked parts of our nation’s history and its players, allowing me to see Canada as more than a dull little nation that had no drama or excitement. It taught me about more than politics; as a journalist-in-training it showed me the power of storytelling. When I became a political journalist covering Parliament, I tried to emulate that style of sharp, pointed analysis, of creating valuable context, of carefully crafted phrases and vibrant images. I am certain I never lived up to Brittain’s standards but just reaching for them made me a better journalist.
[sidebar head="The Champions" Deck="Written and directed by Donald Brittain
National Film Board of Canada, 1978" style="full"]
Documentary
[/sidebar]
