Ted Nesi ’07, mid-broadcast.
Professor Ted Nesi returned to his classroom in Knapton to begin his 12th year teaching his signature journalism course at his alma mater. “It’s very special to be back here,” he said.
Nesi, an analyst and reporter for Channel 12 (WPRI-TV), helps students learn the fundamentals of becoming a journalist and writing news stories. He originally started teaching the class in 2015, when the changing newsroom atmosphere needed young, properly trained reporters to enter the industry.
Today, misinformation and the rise of artificial intelligence are further changing newsroom attitudes and beliefs.
Listed as DMC 285 in Wheaton’s class catalog, Nesi says his course aims to “develop skills that will allow you to produce journalism of your own,” and that “the only way to learn journalistically is to write.”
Students who take the class write a variety of assignments, ranging from writing simple ledes—like the one in this article—to fuller stories that dive into local happenings or zoom out to larger, broader stories. These pieces require quick, punchy writing to keep the reader’s interest. Students also learn how to write news for the real-world outlets, the importance of researching and being impartial before sitting down to write, and how to even begin looking at journalism and newswriting as a whole.
Nesi views the class dynamic as two buckets: those who aspire to be professional journalists, and those who do not but take the course to improve their writing or research skills. Neither kind of student is better or has an advantage, as all come from different backgrounds. Those with a background in journalism from earlier years or prior experience can still find something to take away from the course. The same goes for interest; “You may not be interested in the news,” Nesi stated, “but the news is interested in you.”
Nesi covers topics like the rise of social media and the rapid spread of misinformation because, with everyone able to be their own journalist, it’s often hard to distinguish what is true from false. “Everyone is their own editor. You have to figure out your own resources,” he said. In this spirit, the first major paper for the course is a media comparison essay, which allows students to compare several news outlets—ranging from local to national—on how they report the same stories. When they don’t, why does that selection happen?
AI is also a cause for concern in the changing world, and Nesi believes it will be “massively disruptive to journalism.” However, he is not just critical of the programs. “I am holding out hope it can be constructive if we’re smart about it,” he noted.
This does not mean that students are allowed to use said technology to write their news briefs, papers, or any assignment without serious consideration. Nesi is adamant about this, as he works to “AI-proof” his students. He believes that once you’ve developed the skills to use AI as a tool rather than rely on it as fact, then you can use it as a tool.
Certainly, many still fear that junior reporters just entering the professional field will be replaced by artificial intelligence. “What AI can definitely replicate is the basic writing of a basic news report,” Nesi explains. DMC 285 offers the chance to develop the advanced writing and research skills one needs to navigate this new era of social media, fake news, political situations, and emerging technology.
Despite these obstacles, students have proven to be incredibly resilient and adaptable, especially those a part of Generation Z. “I’m always inspired by how diligent students are, and how much they care,” Nesi commented. “When I read stuff about this generation that’s negative, I think how helpful it would be for more people to spend time with [Gen Z] because I think it’s much more complex.”
Overall, Nesi is excited to be back teaching a new group of students about not only the importance of journalism, but also the immense value of staying informed.