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| Students and professors listen closely to Ballard and Follett. Photo by: Lauren Nevitt |
Cherokee Ballard and Britten Follett spoke to a room full of Gaylord students and professors in the Hall of Fame room last Wednesday, November 9th. They spoke about the importance of truth in journalism, and presented information on their experience of covering the Kelsey Briggs story.
THE IMPACT
They informed the audience on the opportunity that journalists have to hold people accountable for their actions. The importance of truth was also discussed, "Be a truth teller. I got into the journalism world because I believe in telling the truth," says Ballard. While it may take time to find the truth, it's important to remember that in the end, the truth may help save someone's life.
THE CONTEXT
While working as reporters, Ballard and Follett both had an interest in the Kelsey Briggs story. Briggs was a two-year-old girl who died in 2005 because she was abused. The question remains today, who killed her? Ballard and Follett had a strong interest in the case and finding a resolution. Together, they gathered information, interviewed important people in the case, and eventually wrote a book titled,"Who Killed Kelsey?" As they discussed the process of working on the book, Britten commented, "Through our role as authors, we were able to obtain information that we wouldn't be able to as reporters." With the book, the two women were able to raise child abuse awareness, including details specifically pertaining to Briggs' case.
THE HUMAN DIMENSION
Ballard and Follett expressed to the students that journalists have a chance to help protect and save lives. Although there is an opportunity to protect and save lives, it does come with some consequences. Ballard mentions, "I think it's impossible to not become attached [to your story] in some way."
They informed the audience on the opportunity that journalists have to hold people accountable for their actions. The importance of truth was also discussed, "Be a truth teller. I got into the journalism world because I believe in telling the truth," says Ballard. While it may take time to find the truth, it's important to remember that in the end, the truth may help save someone's life.
THE CONTEXT
While working as reporters, Ballard and Follett both had an interest in the Kelsey Briggs story. Briggs was a two-year-old girl who died in 2005 because she was abused. The question remains today, who killed her? Ballard and Follett had a strong interest in the case and finding a resolution. Together, they gathered information, interviewed important people in the case, and eventually wrote a book titled,"Who Killed Kelsey?" As they discussed the process of working on the book, Britten commented, "Through our role as authors, we were able to obtain information that we wouldn't be able to as reporters." With the book, the two women were able to raise child abuse awareness, including details specifically pertaining to Briggs' case.
THE HUMAN DIMENSION
Ballard and Follett expressed to the students that journalists have a chance to help protect and save lives. Although there is an opportunity to protect and save lives, it does come with some consequences. Ballard mentions, "I think it's impossible to not become attached [to your story] in some way."
WHAT'S NEXT
Both women now work for companies outside of the journalism field. Ballard works as a communications manager at the Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and Follett is a marketing manager for Follett International.
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| Ballard and Follett discuss their thoughts on truth in journalism and the book they wrote together. Photo by: Lauren Nevitt |
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