In journalism, there’s always another story to tell

Michael Falcone Falcone was managing editor in
2001-2002.  

I always thought the hardest part of a story was writing the
lead. But now that I have reached the end of my story with The
Daily Bruin, the hardest part is finding the right ending. In three
years there have been hundreds of newspapers, thousands of
deadlines, one presidential election, numerous student protests,
staff meetings, late nights, breaking news, writer shortages, a
redesign, one terrorist attack and countless stories. The stories
are what journalism is. Our craft is based on storytelling, and it
is the telling and retelling of stories that is the essence of the
oral and written tradition journalists live by and help keep alive.
As journalists we are supposed to be the impartial chroniclers of
history for all those interested in reading it. The stress is put
on objectivity, and that is the way it should be. Some who call
themselves journalists would argue that it is a just-the-facts,
follow-the-formula exercise. So, are we nothing but mediators
between the idea of a story and the story that appears on the
printed page? I think we are more than that. As journalists it is
our duty not to become involved with the people or events we cover.
But that does not mean we should not be moved by either one. In
fact, I have learned that if we are not, then we haven’t
really done our job. As much as journalists are the chroniclers of
history, we must also realize that we are cultivators of it. The
choices we make, the approaches we take, the people we talk to, the
perspective we bring all connect us to our work and that is the way
it should be. Initially I joined the paper hoping that it would
become a niche for me on this campus. It has become that and a
great deal more. I have given a lot to the paper and it has given
me even more in return. Over the course of three years at the Daily
Bruin, I have had the privilege to work with three very different
but remarkably talented staffs. The Bruin has been and should
continue to be a place where people matter. Thank you also to my
friends, my family, and especially my mom and dad, who have always
lighted my way. Finally, thanks to those who for years to come will
choose to inherit the challenge of leading this newspaper. Keep it
going and keep it great. As I look at the young, eager journalists
who are taking our places, I hope they realize how important the
work they do is and the enormous responsibility they have. Service
to the university has been my mission for the last few years at The
Bruin, and I can think of no better way to have fulfilled that goal
than by participating in the telling and the making of history, if
just for a small sliver of the life of the campus. In journalism we
are told that stories should not end with a summary or conclusion.
Perhaps it’s just a rule born out of some long-held
convention, but there’s something more profound about it too.
The stories we write do not end with the last period punched on the
keyboard. Even when we think we’re done, there’s still
something more left to uncover, still another story to tell, and
that is the way it should be.