Alejandra Yañez | THE RIDER
As a student journalist, I am no stranger to not being taken seriously. From the looks of disinterest to the condescending comments during interviews, I’ve had my fair share of “Why am I taking this?” moments.
With the Rio Grande Valley’s current COVID-19 crisis and the first case in the U.S. being reported in January of last year, I am reminded of an interview I conducted where I was told the virus wasn’t likely to affect the Valley.
I was laughed at and made fun of for “asking more questions than CNN,” when I was trying to learn more about the virus.
It’s amazing the sense of power and authority that some people feel just because they’re the ones answering the questions instead of asking them. News flash! I’m not an expert in your field and that’s why I am contacting you, but the arrogance I think we could all do without.
As a young person trying to find my voice, I do not appreciate being undermined for asking questions, which is the job of a reporter.
This “Us vs. Them” mindset that certain people in positions of power tend to have toward the news media is the main problem. People are so worried about being misunderstood and being published as a monster that they actually become one in the process.
I know I’m still green and have a lot to learn, but I’m a student for a reason.
It’s insulting to be treated like a child when I have genuine questions and concerns for the well-being of the public, especially during the pandemic.
I like to believe that I can hold my own in a conversation, but what do you do when some man calls you mija in the middle of an interview? That’s the kiss of death to a reporter. Might as well throw my credibility down the drain right there.
I’m not playing dress-up or pretend when I write these stories. I’m reporting on real events and issues.
While reporting on the pandemic, I’ve realized how difficult it is to get that truth when nobody wants to admit how many people are sick, much less when or how they got that way. It’s a mess.
You wouldn’t treat a medical student like they were playing doctor. In fact, some of them are being trusted to administer vaccinations during this pandemic, so why are student journalists different? Where’s the trust? We have a role, too, and it’s to inform.
I’m getting trained to do the best job possible just like anybody else in any other profession.
When I first got this job, I was impressed by how thorough our training was and how dedicated my advisers and director were, and still are, to having us write with integrity, accuracy and produce newsworthy pieces.
This program taught me how to use my voice, how to be inquisitive and how to handle even the most disrespectful people like a professional. And, believe me, that training has been utilized.
I’ve been laughed at, patronized, given the runaround and denied interviews to write some of these stories and, like me, are many others.
Interviewees have hijacked my interviews and not let me get through an entire sentence without interrupting me, then added insult to injury by telling me I don’t know how to ask questions.
All I ask is to be taken seriously, especially with the current state of the Valley.
As you’re reading this, maybe you’re thinking, “Why is she still holding a grudge from over a year ago,” and maybe I am.
Maybe that’s just the way this works for women or for student reporters, but I’m here to say that it shouldn’t and that I’m still not OK with it.
