Journalism professionals from Fox, ESPN and The Dispatch advise students on what the media industry is like in 2023

The life of a journalist can mean covering Donald Trump’s potential indictment, the death and war in Ukraine, genocide, but also, March Madness. Three recent Liberty graduates, a Fox News producer, an ESPN director and a deputy editor at The Dispatch, illustrated the places that hard work and a Liberty journalism degree can get you to at the “Hot Off the Press!” event on March 27.

The all-day event was designed for the three guests to give their own individual discussions, then two panel discussions allowing questions from faculty and students.

Digital media students were able to learn all about behind-the-scenes strategies and analytics for the most popular social media platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, from Jeremy Fitch, a 2018 graduate, who started his career as an intern at the Washington Examiner but is now a digital strategist for ESPN. 

“Being able to give back to the students that I get the chance to represent in the business and hopefully work with in the next couple of years … is an honor,” Fitch said. 

Sean Langille, a graduate from 2008, is now a producer for Fox News at Night with Trace Gallagher. Langille told the story of how he was sure he would end up in Christian radio but eventually realized his love for news moving to the Washington Examiner, and now currently Fox. 

Esther Eaton, a 2021 graduate, started at World Magazine first in a training program and then as a political reporter for World Magazine.  She currently serves as a deputy editor at The Dispatch, a website covering political news from a conservative perspective.

The panelists shared stories about the most exciting events they had recently covered.  

“Our coverage of the war in Ukraine has been phenomenal,” Langille said. He was able to connect a former classmate who is now a pastor to share his connection to Ukraine. “When you’re covering difficult stories, it’s sad. You’re covering death and war. To bring someone on who can share (Bible) verses and reach millions of people in a night is so encouraging
for us.”

The panel also inquired of the professionals as to what their thoughts are on the future of artificial intelligence within media. Fitch said that ESPN is currently building a whole facility in Connecticut completely devoted to AI abilities.

Eaton said that she can see artificial intelligence going far within the media and journalism industry but is optimistic that computers will hopefully not be taking anyone’s jobs.

“What role does AI have? It’s not there to take my job,” Eaton said. “But I could see it incorporated into my workflow – things that help me get more efficient at what I already do.”

One student, Caleb Freund, a sophomore digital media and journalism student at Liberty, said the event was highly encouraging in figuring out how to transition from college to the real world.

“I really enjoyed all the information just about transitioning from college to the career field and just seeing where I could be in the future and seeing people that have had my same experience,” Freund said. “You can’t really get this same perspective as much in an academic setting.”

The funds for the event were received by the School of Communications and the Arts through Illuminate grant money from the Center for Teaching Excellence applied for by professors in the department, including professors Amy Bonebright, Donald Alban, Toni Perry and the department chair of digital media and journalism John Rost.

Eaton also encouraged the women in the room looking to get into the journalism industry.

“Oh, to be a woman,” Eaton said in reference to the struggles that females face in the media industry. 

She encouraged women to stand up for themselves in potential times of discrimination, to say something if they feel they are being patronized and to gain a trustworthy reputation among higher-ups. She advised all students to be led by curiosity and not by fear.

“Fail gloriously,” Eaton said.

All three panelists spoke on the idea of how to live boldly in faith when working in media. Fitch explained how multiple coworkers have come up to him, saying how he is different than some of the negative things they have heard about Christian organizations in the past. He told the audience how this has opened up many conversations about his faith.

“Be able to just stay solid in who you are. We were all born to be creators. I think the ability to create and honor the Lord with that gift is important,” Fitch said. “Being able to do that every single day is an opportunity, not something that should be a fear.”

Eaton and Langille also encouraged audience members to not be afraid to believe in the truth. The professionals saw their boldness as an asset, rather than something to be hidden. 

Lechner is the social media and web manager for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on Twitter