Pulliam visits journalism school
Russell Pulliam, grandson of Eugene S. Pulliam, longtime ownder of The Indianapolis Star, visited Franklin and the journalism program that bears his family name.
The younger Pulliam made his own mark in the world of journalism, even with a rough beginning.
"My college had no journalism program," Pulliam said. "We got no credit for journalism. I wrote stories for local newspapers in the region, and I got five dollars a story."
Now Pulliam supports himself by a Saturday column in The Indianapolis Star.
"His family has a long history of making us what we are," John Krull, director of Franklin's Pulliam School of Journalism and a 15-year colleague of Pulliam, said. "And, as such, I want them to continue to be involved and take some pride in what the [PSJ] is. Added onto that, I thought there were some things that he could say about the profession that would be useful to young journalists. And it turned out that I was right."
Franklin journalism students met in the Hamilton Auditorium to listen to Pulliam and ask questions.
Besides producing his column, Pulliam directs the Pulliam Fellowship Program, which gives college students internship experience during the summer at The Indianapolis Star or The Arizona Republic.
"I was thrilled to hear Pulliam speak," Jessica Finke, a junior journalism student, said. "Because he directs the Fellowship, he is very influential. His opinions and advice mean a lot to the journalism students, but his connections don’t hurt either."
Many student questions focused on Pulliam’s start in journalism, which he mainly attributed to his obvious family connection.
"When I was very young there were three negative characteristics of journalism," Pulliam said. "A lot of journalists drank too much, smoked a lot and neglected their family. One of the biggest challenges of my life was to put in a full effort at work and [at home]."
He emphasized to Franklin students the importance–-particularly for a columnist--of balancing viewpoints. The key according to Pulliam: balance.
"Even if they are someone you don’t agree with, if you can convey that you are going to treat them fairly, that is immensely helpful," Pulliam said. "Go to their events and ask them their thoughts. If you are a journalist long enough, people who you don’t agree with will be in positions of authority."
Sophomore Tess Rowing asked Pulliam how he keeps from injecting conservatism ideology into his columns. After a short pause for reflection, Pulliam said he doesn’t.
"I think if you are in commentary like I am, it is probably expected that you are going to be known for one viewpoint or another," he said. "There’s a neutrality push in journalism. I think it’s the Washington Post editor who doesn’t even vote. There’s something wrong with that absolute complete detachment. You’re still a citizen."
Pulliam also spoke about the condition of mass media. Unlike many of his peers who predict the downfall of the industry, Pulliam said he remains optimistic about journalism’s direction. He spoke in support of new tools like blogs and even said he thinks newsroom accuracy has improved.
"I think we have a little more balance in the national news media now to conservatives and Christians and other faith-orientated people," Pulliam said. "And I think our reporters are more conscious of not making errors, because they get in more trouble now than they did 20 years ago."
