 "Photo: The Knight News, photo by Keldy Ortiz")
Professor Gerry Solomon has been the director of the journalism program at Queens College since since 2004. Before his QC career, he was involved in multiple media outlets for 30 years. He worked for CNN as a copy editor, for Anderson Cooper 360 as a producer, for ABC’s “Good Morning America” as a managing editor, and he worked for NBC in a variety of roles. Solomon, a QC alumnus and Columbia University graduate, spoke to “The Knight News” about his work and switch from reporter and editor to teacher.
Q: Why did you choose journalism as a career?
A: I was always interested in the activities in my community around me. My grandfather, with whom I spent a lot of time when I was a little boy, was an avid news radio listener, and I always thought that it was something wonderful. I figured that if it was good for him, then I should be interested in it too, and I got into it.”
Q: What were the obstacles that you faced while getting into the journalism field?
A: They tend to be competitive obstacles. If there was one job and a number of qualified people applied, sometimes I didn’t get what I wanted.”
Q: Why did you decide to teach?
A: After more than three decades in the business, I really began to feel as though I can make more of a contribution working with students coming into profession and teaching them what I learned along the way.”
Q: What are your goals in teaching journalism, knowing the state of media today?
A: I want to ensure that we teach the fundamental skills of reporting and writing. The platform that is used for those skills is changing, and we are also making an effort to teach the skills necessary to work in those different platforms.
Q: How has the state of the media changed over the years, and where is it heading?
A: New York City had seven or eight main newspapers before I got into the business. Currently, there are only three main newspapers in New York. There are many more sources of information and fewer filters of information. The problem we now face is how to cut through the clutter and provide meaningful information.
Q: Are there any thoughts about going back into media?
A: I’m busy teaching and engage full-time at Queens College, and also as an adjunct at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, and that’s plenty for me.”
Q: Good journalism versus bad journalism?
A: Historically there has always been bad journalism and there has been wonderful journalism. I would hope that consumers of news, the readers, listeners, active participants understand what is good and what is not good.”
Q: What are your hobbies?
A: I like photography, reading good fiction, traveling, and when I can combine all those things together -- that’s nirvana. Most importantly, I have a wonderful family I’m involved with.
Q: What, in your opinion, is the best news channel?
A: I watch World News with Charles Gibson, which airs on ABC on weeknights at 6:30.
Be the first to comment on this article!