What do reporters need to be successful? The list of qualities is extensive and usually includes curiosity. But that curiosity works best when it is coupled with a bit of knowledge. That's one of the things that makes a column by Terry Mattingly that appeared in many newspapers a couple of weeks ago so interesting.

Mattingly directs the Washington Journalism Center at the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, and he writes a weekly column on religious issues that is syndicated by Scripps Howard.

In his column, Mattingly relates the story Father John Neuhaus of the journal First Things tells about getting a call from a reporter wanting some information and insight into a recent papal encyclical.

During this interview, Neuhaus referred to the pope as the "bishop of Rome." The reporter then said, "That raises an interesting point. Is it unusual that this pope is also the bishop of Rome?"

One of the titles any pope carries is "Bishop of Rome," something the reporter did not know.

Neuhaus then told Mattingly another, similar story:

Another time, an "eager young thing" from the same national newspaper called to discuss a political scandal. Sadly, Neuhaus said, corruption has "been around ever since that unfortunate afternoon in the garden.”

There was a long pause and she asked: "What garden was that?"

That garden was the Garden of Eden.

These two stories point to a continuing problem with journalism – reporters who have a relatively small knowledge base. Mattingly's column, which deserves to be read fully, deals with how frustrating this can be to sources who try to be helpful but who do not have the time or inclination to give reporters a full education in their topic.

The curiosity to be an exceptionally good reporter develops at an early age. The benefit is a range of knowledge that gives a reporter the ability to navigate the complexities of a wide variety of assignments.

Unfortunately, those of us in journalism schools are encountering fewer students who were obviously curious at an early age.

Jim Stovall (Posted Feb. 15, 2006)

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