Today’s journalists have so many tools at their
disposal: Google, the Internet, computers, GPS devices and Blackberries.
But none of these are as iconic or important as
journalists’ No. 1 tool in their arsenal – the reporter’s notebook. It’s
always at a journalist’s side - through press conferences, court
hearings, breaking news and even while sleeping. Because unlike other devices,
the notebook doesn’t need batteries or service or a USB connection. All it
needs is a pen or pencil and a hard-working journalist attached to it.
The reporter’s notebook is unique given it’s its
shape. It’s longer than it is wide, making it the perfect size to slip into a
back pocket and makes taking notes an ease since a journalist’s hand doesn’t
have to swoop across the entire length of a full-page while writing.
Reporter’s notebooks are also essential to journalists
because of the fact that they contain every number, lead, quote and scoop
collected while in the field. So important these are to one’s work that
journalists have defied court orders, subpoenas, threats of physical violence
and even gone to jail to safeguard the contents of their notebooks.
While vital to any journalist, finding a reporter’s
notebook in a newsroom can prove to be a harder task than finding an uncorrupt
Illinois politician. Because of this fact, journalists have been known to hoard
notebooks, hiding them from fellow journalists.
The reporter’s notebook has
proven its necessity by outlasting such tools of the trade such as typewriters,
the printing press and fedora hats.
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Topics:
reporter notebooks, reporters notebooks, reporters notebook, journalist notebook, reporter notebook, journalist notebooks, reporter\s notebooks, journalism notebooks, small reporter notebook, reporter\s notebook
Too true. Whenever I interview a source, I always take notes in my notebook–even if it’s over the phone and I’m sitting in front of my computer. There’s just something about doing things by hand. Plus, you don’t have to worry about what might happen to your notes if your computer has meltdown.
There’s a second “it’s” error in this post — last graf.
And no, I’m not a copy editor, I’m a fellow reporter (who was laid off and made it back in the biz, believe it or not)
I do the lowliest work of the journalist (calendar items, condensing reviews) and never require these notebooks but I still steal them like candy.
I’ve been out of newspaper biz for a few years and I still love those notebooks. I wish I could cut in half the steno notebooks I get from my company’s office supply stash.
In actuality, the notebooks pictured here are sort of flimsy. I prefer the notepads with sturdier backs. And, yes, I have five or more stashed in my own bag and others in drawers at home.
I came here looking to buy some, and what do I get? Stories.
Ok. The other thing about reporter’s notebooks is that nonreporter girls and women love them because they’re so unique and fit so nicely in a purse. I cannot remember how many times I’ve been asked to give one up. Since nearly everyone hates us, it always seemed like a small price to pay for a little love and attention. As long as that notebook stays in the purse, they’ll remember you.
I agree with Anna. My first thought when I saw that picture was “oh no, that kind of notebook is the worst!”
But in general, I love reporter’s notebooks. I have an extra in my car, a couple in my desk, some at home, and I would probably take as many as I could get my hands on if I were to leave the business- in my purse, of course.
Anna – where do you get the notebooks witht he sturdier backs? Brand?