Political Journalists Work Together to Teach Course Covering the Governor's Race

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 2, 2015) — Associate Professor Al Cross and journalist in residence John Winn Miller, both former political reporters for different Kentucky-based publications, are teaching a journalism course together this semester titled "Covering the Governor's Race."

Cross, former political reporter for the Louisville Courier Journal, and Miller, former capital bureau chief for the Frankfort Bureau of the Lexington Herald, used to compete with each other as political journalists in Kentucky. Now they’ve combined their experience and knowledge of political reporting to give students an education in all aspects of covering a political race.

“We both have a lot of experience and a lot of insight that we can share with the students that you may not get from a textbook or on your own,” Miller said.  “We can kind of tell them, here’s how it really works and here are some pitfalls to avoid.”

The course covers everything students need to know about political reporting including research, interview skills, writing, social media involvement, fact checking and more.  Learning and practicing these skills has led some students to break news in various newspapers across the state.

The best articles are published on the class blog.  Local newspapers from across the state are invited and encouraged to publish the students’ stories in their respective papers.

When local Kentucky newspapers publish students’ stories from the blog, they are helping students as much as they are helping the citizens of Kentucky.  Many small papers do not have the resources to report so frequently on the Kentucky governor’s race, and therefore, readers are less informed. In this respect, students are ultimately serving the citizens of Kentucky while reporting on the governor’s race.

UK alum and editor of the Franklin Favorite, Brian Hancock says pieces from students have been very beneficial.

"At a smaller weekly newspaper like the Franklin Favorite, there are only so many reporters to go around," Hancock said. "We strive to provide in-depth local coverage, but occassionally also want to highlight statewide issues.

"During my time as editor, UK student pieces have been very beneficial to us in that regard. In certain key moments, such as elections, we've gladly published student pieces. Many times we're wrapped up with what is happening locally, and thus it is very helpful to be able to publish quality pieces written on a state level that are still relevant to the people of our community."

Students have covered and will continue to cover all aspects of the Kentucky governor’s race up to and including Election Day on Nov. 3.

“Students will interview voters at precincts for a story on how the election was won or lost, and some will cover the election-night events of the campaigns,” Cross said.

The course will benefit students’ careers upon graduation by exposing them to real-time political reporting and getting their writing featured in esteemed publications.

“[My goals are to] give students real-world experience in covering politics and public policy, help them understand the news media’s role in elections, learn reporting and presentation techniques that can be used to effectively convey reliable information to voters and how to appreciate the differing perspectives of candidates and treat them fairly,” Cross said.

“So when they get out of the course, they’ll really be well-versed in what it takes to cover a political campaign,” Miller said.

This is not the first time a course of this nature has been offered.  Cross taught the first course of this kind on a gubernatorial primary in 2007, imparting his political reporting knowledge to students in the same way since then.

Students appreciate the level of expertise their professors have, and their willingness to share that experience with the class.

“Al and John have decades of experience between them, and they are truly excited to help young journalists grow,” journalism and political science senior Matthew Young said. 

He noted that the professors would do anything to help students reach their full potential.

Senior journalism and political science major Cheyene Miller agrees.

“Professor Miller and Professor Cross are two of the most esteemed journalists in Kentucky, and it's a privilege to work under them,” Cheyene Miller said.  “Professor Miller has worked for a variety of highly respected newspapers, and Professor Cross is probably more knowledgeable about Kentucky politics than anyone alive.  I couldn't have hoped for better instructors in a course such as this.”

To read students’ stories, visit the class blog at kygovrace.blogspot.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: Blair Hoover, (859) 257-6398; blair.hoover@uky.edu