One Foot on the Ladder

Making the transition from news junkie to journalist is a strange experience. I have insight now that I never imagined when I was just watching political shows and bumming around on the Internet - and there are a few guilty pleasures from my fangirl days that I can't get away with anymore.

Here are a few of the things I've learned:

• Controversial issues have a tendency to split into obvious, polarised and ultimately unhelpful factions. Reporters ought to find a different way to frame the debate while still getting ratings and page clicks. Good luck with that, reporters.
• Everyone thinks their favourite story should be on the front page or at the top of the news hour. Don't even try to please them all - but have a good reason for your decision.
• Humour, sarcasm and moral indignation are fun, useful tools that can backfire spectacularly.
• "Fangirling" a media figure is risky. "Fangirling" a politician is a disaster.
• Women in the media have to face a huge amount of frustrating scrutiny from men.
• Women in the media have to face a huge amount of frustrating scrutiny from other women - and this time we have to pay close attention.
• The lines between news, entertainment and various forms of media are shifting constantly, whether you like it or not. Learn to adapt.
• Don't eat the garnish.
• Know the stereotypes of race, gender, sexuality and any other issue involving oppression and privilege. Study them obsessively and avoid them like the plague. ESPECIALLY if you're reporting on ANYTHING related to rape, sweet Jesus.
• You know what's like the Holocaust? The Holocaust. That's pretty much it.
• Stuff you put on the Internet will stay there forever and ever and ever. Deleting stuff to save face will make things worse.
• Know your memes and trending topics. Get on social media and learn to weild a hashtag with flair. Watch out for Tumblr, though - that place is nuts.
• National issues are fun to discuss in the abstract, but eventually they need to be explored all the way down to the personal level. Remember: detached debates about politics are a luxury that many people can't afford.
• A little media training can go a long way. It doesn't diminish your revolutionary street cred, I promise.