Andy Schotz has worked as a professional journalist for 31 years. Today, he tells us about how journalism has changed drastically throughout the years. Being in this industry and having major information at your fingertips can be extremely exciting. Andy talks about the importance of verifying information before reporting it and even refers to things happening on social media as being just like the “wild west of sharing unverified information.” 

Nowadays, newer companies and operating systems have meant less advertising, less space, less staff, and unfortunately less subscribers. This cycle has sadly been pretty devastating over the last couple of decades. Thankfully Andy is an optimist. He views each day as a fresh start  and finds gratitude in being able to bring joy to others through news stories.

About Andy Schotz:

Andy Schotz is the editor of The Frederick News-Post. He has worked 31 years as a professional journalist (20 as a reporter, 11 as an editor). He also worked at a weekly newspaper in Albany County, N.Y., for eight years. He grew up on Long Island. And he graduated from the University at Albany, part of the State University of New York system.

He moved to Maryland in 2000 to work as a reporter for The Herald-Mail in Hagerstown.

He is on the board of three journalism nonprofit organizations:

• the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

• the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation

• the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors

Episode Timestamps:

• Andy’s journey leading up to becoming the editor of the Frederick News Post {1:26}
• The changes Andy has experienced over the course of his career {3:54}
• The difference between repeating what you hear and journalism {8:22}
• The weight of the responsibility Andy feels when having important information to put out to the public {12:39}
• What the editor role entails {14:17}
• Some lessons Andy has learned about leading along the way {15:26}
• The importance of more praise and less criticism {19:37}
• The mindset Andy starts each day off with {21:31}
• What Andy would like people to know about the Frederick News Post {25:47}
• The best way people could support the Frederick News Post {19:37}

“But there's nothing that beats going out and talking to people, witnessing things and being able to describe it. Government writing became a passion for me. I like describing what's happening. I like being the eyes and ears of the community when there may not be anybody else there holding people accountable, asking questions, asking and things like that. So I don't think it's hard to be reporting and firsthand witnessing it.”

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