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Are deadlines a lost cause?

8/12/11
by Nicole Martinelli

Whether you're a journalist trying to meet deadlines or an editor who needs writers to make them, deadlines are a constant of the profession.

Having been on both sides of the equation - as an editor and a freelancer - it's never easy. As a journalist, I'd rather pull an all-nighter than blow a deadline but as an editor I'm fine with giving deadline extensions -- as long as I know before that deadline has come and gone that it's necessary.

Better communication between journalists and editors is key. As one editor put it:

"Editors need to have regular conversations with their reporters, coaching a little bit each time.This is quite different from the traditional: “Look, I gave you the assignment two weeks ago. Today is the deadline and I want that story!"

How do you deal with them?

Topic:

As central as deadlines are

Submitted by Anonymous on 8/16/11.

As central as deadlines are in doing our work as a news organization, there always got to be a back-up plan because whether you like it or not, someone is going to miss his/her deadline.

My students almost never meet

Submitted by Anonymous on 8/15/11.

My students almost never meet them - despite deadlines being tied to grades. I try to impress upon them that they can't just take a lower grade in the work world, but it seems to have little effect. I’m not sure how to motivate them to meet deadlines. I’d really like to hear how other people handle it. Grades don't seem to be enough, so I’m looking for other motivators.

24/7 news cycle

Submitted by Anonymous on 8/12/11.

makes deadlines more fluid. If you're talking digital journalism, the idea of a hard deadline has more or less vanished. (Don't tell the contributors, though, I still want the stories on time!).

Deadlines are a constant --

Submitted by Anonymous on 8/15/11.

Deadlines are a constant -- maybe the only constant now. It doesn't matter if the news cycle has changed, journalists still need to meet them. Those who rely on digital wiggle room will soon be looking for work...It is a journalist's job to meet deadlines of assignments and release new information before competition does.

sweat!

Submitted by Anonymous on 8/12/11.

Like you, I don't think about not meeting them, I just do. I try to pitch stories w/a turnaround in mind, so I know realistically when it'll be done.

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