Former Pittsburgh Tribune-Review investigative reporter Andrew Conte knows newspapers. The industry is not dying, he said.
As the new director of the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University, Conte -- still a monthly columnist -- is using his delight for an evolving craft to help prepare aspiring storytellers.
“Journalism is changing, and I wanted to be a part of helping figure out that change for our broader audience,” Conte told Essential Pittsburgh on Friday.
Advances in technology, especially smartphones, have lowered the barrier of entry for would-be multimedia journalists. Conte argued that's a plus. The more inclusive the medium, the more folks are willing to listen.
And for the professionals, it's a still a passion pursuit. Journalists stay in the game because they believe in their own ability to hold others accountable. Students keep opting for communications degrees despite the throngs of professors who maintain it won't yield ripe fiscal fruit.
“(Reporters) believe in the idea of speaking up for people when they don’t have a voice and working for the public,” he said. “There’s still good content out there. Good storytelling wins out at the end of the day.”
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