Tucked away in Marron Hall, filled to the brim with past editions, colored pens, a purple couch, seven desks, a dozen rolling chairs and a few Halloween decorations left up a little too long, the Daily Lobo newsroom stands.
“Good luck, kick ass and get it on the record” is scribbled above the doorway — a reminder to reporters as they come and go in between interviews, protests, public meetings and breaking news.
The cycle starts on a Sunday. Reporters, photographers and editors gather to pitch out stories, pick up assignments, update one another on the status of stories and drink a little too much coffee.
Once a pitch is picked up, the work begins. A reporter is tasked with asking the hard-hitting questions and getting the story. This isn’t always easy. People don’t always want to talk, but the job of a reporter is to hold people in power accountable and serve the public by sharing information.
This work is accomplished alongside a photographer who teams up with the reporter to bring a visual element to the story. Whatever the shot may be, the photographer speaks truth with an image and captures the moment.
Approaching the deadline, a reporter has 800 words due to the desk editor. The editor will fact-check, ensure nothing is missing from the story, no questions went unasked and that the work is clear, concise and done with integrity.
When Sunday rolls around again after the pitch meetings, the staff will venture into the blue room to layout, design and edit Monday’s print edition. Discussion ensues over commas, word choice and headlines marked up in pink, red and blue pen until the paper is done. Then, the team calls it a night and sends the paper to be printed in Santa Fe.
The Daily Lobo is currently hiring freelance news, sports and culture reporters, as well as freelance photographers. Applications can be found on UNM Jobs. We are seeking University of New Mexico students who are determined, tenacious, will fight to get the story and don’t mind some Halloween decorations around the office in May.
Maddie Pukite is the editor-in-chief at the Daily Lobo. They can be contacted at editorinchief@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @maddogpukite
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