By KELLY KULTYS

NEWS EDITOR

Thomas Maier, FCRH ’78, former executive editor of The Ram and current Newsday investigative journalist, discussed the current media landscape with students.

The discussion, held on April 11 and sponsored by the Public Media Student Journalist Association (PMSJA), gave aspiring journalism students the chance to listen to advice offered by a 30-year veteran and voice their own questions.

Maier began by discussing how he got to his position today.

At Fordham, he was a staff member on The Ram, originally as the political affairs editor, which allowed Maier to make connections outside of the campus.

After graduating from Fordham, he continued his education at the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia before taking a job at the Nyack News. From there, he began to work at Newsday, where he has worked ever since.

Maier then discussed the changing media climate, which now requires journalists to include more than just news articles.

“Print plus video, it’s a good one-two punch,” Maier said.

Maier believes that using video with investigative reporting gives the piece more power.

As a print reporter, Maier had to learn how to “marry print and video” into a new form of media called “newspaper video.”

Newspaper video, according to Maier, includes many still photographs and B-rolls with someone doing a voiceover.

Since many photographers are getting the visual pieces, it also includes more cinematographic elements than traditional broadcast television.

This new “marriage,” as Maier put it, caused him to reinvent himself around age 50. He had to move from working as a strictly print journalist to one that now uses the same techniques, and also includes video.

“You have to have the ability to do both — write for the eye and the ear,” Maier said. “You have to know how to edit [and] pace the report. You have to learn the grammar of film.”

Maier then demonstrated in some of his works how he has had to do just that.

The first one he showed was an investigative project with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists about the dangerous practice of body snatching for the use of stealing a victim’s organs.

He also worked on a piece about Brookhaven Lab’s cover-up of the danges of living on certain Pacific Islands after World War II.

But Maier does not just work in the realm of Newsday related projects.

He has also published multiple books. His main work, The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings, discusses the tragic story of Jackie Kennedy after the death of her husband.

Maier used this book to offer some words of advice to the students.

“Learn how to shut up when you’re the interviewer,” Maier said.

Maier finished his segment by discussing his most recent book about a couple, Masters and Johnston.

Showtime is now using to create a show entitled “Masters of Sex,” based off of his biographical story of the two main characters.

“You never know what’s going to happen when you write a book,” Maier said.

Maier closed the night by allowing students to ask questions.

He told students that despite the claims that journalism is a hard field to break into, it is also a great time in the industry with all “the new gadgetry” available.

He also said that it is a great time for young entrepreneurs because when he started, mainly conglomerates owned the different media industries.

Now, according to Maier, there are niche areas aligned to specific skills, creating the possibility of more jobs suited for young college graduates.

Maier then reminded the students of the unheralded communication department, which already has many well-known alumni in the field.

“The best thing I can say is be a sponge; absorb everything you can,” Maier said.