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Editors reveal recruitment secrets

Core journalism skills are more important than technical know-how even for aspiring online journalists, according to senior figures who attended the Online News Association conference in Hollywood at the weekend.

Robert Basler, executive producer at reuters.com, told students and professionals at the meeting that he did not look for applicants with a detailed knowledge of the internet. Instead he looks for instinctive journalism skills and the ability to think textually and visually.

Janice Castro, assistant dean at Northwestern University's Medill school of journalism, said that she looked for self-starters with an ethical and responsible approach as well as a passion for the subject.

"You need journalistic skills to get in the door, but passion will set you apart," she said.

However, some employers' wish-lists did highlight a reasonable grasp of technology and an enthusiasm for new media. Fred Mann, general manager of philly.com, a US news site that covers the Philadephia region, said that he expects job applicants to show knowledge of his site, and also likes CVs in electronic form with links to work online.

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ONA announces conference speakers

ONA conference coverage:
http://journalist.org/2004conference/archives/000094.php

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