For the Love of the Free Speech; a Mass Comm Student Feature

For every major that exists on the Southern University campus, there are internal motivating factors that exist for students towards the end of pushing themselves towards success and the achievement of greatness at a high level. In Southern University’s own department of mass communication, for example, student motivations range from a desire to be paragons of free speech in some cases, to wanting to represent the underrepresented communities so that they can be given proper regional attention in other cases. In the case of Kyndall Jones, a graduating senior at the university’s mass communications department, her main motivations stemmed from an understanding of what she was good at.
When thinking about the field of journalism, broadcast and otherwise, there are certain skill sets that are required in order for success to be established and maintained. These skills include being a technically sound writer, good interviewer, and a willing participant in the field from a camera and video standpoint, wherever that may be.
When asked what inspired her own desire to commit to such a career path, Jones says that she simply found something that she was passionate about and good at, and went from there. “My biggest [deciding] factor in wanting to pursue journalism as a major was really just trusting my gut and investing in myself towards stuff that I’m already good at,” said Jones. Alongside the aforementioned skills that journalists in the professional field must be proficient in, Jones also noted how she’d had an opportunity to gain experience as a photographer as well during her collegiate experience.
Taking all of the aforementioned necessities into consideration that are needed to be a strong professional in the field of journalism, Kyndall also gives credit to professionals already in the field who’ve inspired her from an early age as well. One major inspiration Jones noted to be a prominent inspiration is Lester Holt, the NBC Nightly News anchor.
Among being a notable anchor and mainstream media personality, Holt has notable experience in the field dating back to his daytime coverage of the 2000 Presidential Election Recount, as well as the overarching lead-up to the Iraq War. Alongside these platitudes, Jones notes how his interviewing and speaking skills put on display during his run with CBS News’ 48 Hours most interested her in doing similar work as a professional.
When asked where she sees herself in this field ten years later, she envisions a path in broadcast similar to that of Holt’s, including covering breaking news events on air and becoming a notable name in her own right in the world of journalism. “I would like to become a news anchor for CNN one day,” said Kyndall when asked about what a potential end goal would look like for her down the line.
Principles such as objective truth, ethics, and free speech are the bedrock of journalism, but in a world where these principles are being threatened at every turn by political bias, the need for unbiased, well-trained new-age journalism is more important than ever before. Once she steps across the stage this May as a professional in the field herself, Jones argues that she’s as well suited for the challenge as anyone.