Outside prospective of an insider.

Michael Baker

Jour 271

Sandra Knispel

Words 413

OXFORD, MS – Students in the school of journalism at the University of Mississippi received some insight into the world they all hope to be a part of, professional journalism. With more than enough experience and decorated background Sandra Knispel provided for the students a clear look into her professional past and the things that it takes to reach that point. Born and raised in Germany Sandra Knispel has also lived and worked in England, Wales, France and the U.S. She graduated with a B.A. in Politics and Russian Studies from the University of Wales, Swansea and went on to earn an M.A. in Journalism from the University of Mississippi.

Knispel described her first job as an awful experience. The job was an American newspaper for Germans based in New York. Cases of racism and plagiarism were everyday occurrences in the workplace. Sandra explained how for an extended period of time her boss would instruct her to copy facts and reports word for word from another newspaper. This proved to be stressful for her as it would be to any true ethical journalist. “Not being able to remain firm to my morals furthered me from my job at the end of each work day” said Knispel.

For reasons concerning her immigrant status, Sandra toughed it out for a while longer before relocating to Germany. She was a national television anchor in London for Bloomberg TV Germany, covering financial markets, economics and European Union summit meetings across the EU. While working back in Germany worked on several different media platforms, including several regional German newspapers.

Halfway through the presentation Sandra Knispel described the importance of getting production room experience. “There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes that you can only learn from being there” she said. “Even if it’s just a visit, go see a newsroom.”

Knispel after moving to Oxford with her husband in 2001 became the managing editor for the weekly Oxford Enterprise. Also included in Sandra Knispels’ incredible resume is the multimedia editor for Bloomberg Financial Markets in Princeton, New Jersey, as well as Bloomberg's European multimedia editor in London. As of late, she writes for two national magazines, Conceive and Baby talk. Her broadcast work earned her regional and national Edward R. Murrow and numerous AP Mississippi awards. Her magazine stories have won several prizes, including one for excellence in writing from the Florida Magazine Association, and a prestigious team national Folio awards.

Brandon Skaggs

10/16/12

Sandra Knispel Story

Word Count: 350

UNIVERSITY, MS- An experienced journalist shares her wisdom with journalism students to help give them a better grasp of the professional and personal sides of life for a journalist.

Sandra Knispel is a two time award winner of the Edward R. Murrow award and a  master’s graduate from the University of Mississippi.  She was born in Germany but attended the University of Wales in the United Kingdom.  After earning her B.A. she moved to New York to work for a German-American Newspaper.  She did not keep this job long, due to her boss. 

Knispel spilling tricks of the trade to the students had a lot of advice.  “Voraciously consume news,” advised Knispel to her audience supporting her advice with cons of the journalism world.  “Right now getting a job in journalism is hard,” said Knispel, emphasizing the urgency for starting internships early and learning to “adapt” as needed.

As for her advice on emotions Knispel was clear that as a reporter it is one’s job to be objective and just report the news, facts, and statistics, and to just let the soundbites and quotes do the emotional work for you.  Her most memorable reporting experience was with a war veteran with post traumatic stress disorder.  She claims that the reason it was her most memorable was because she was interviewing this burly ex-soldier covered in tattoos and seeing him breakdown and cry.  She even said she began to cry herself, but knew that she must continue to obtain all the information she needed.

Knispel seemed to emphasize more than anything to “Protect your credibility.”  Knispel was very clear that on moral guidelines, plagiarism, and integrity to never be false or immoral with your reporting, “It’s ultimately all you’ve got.”

Knispel works for the Mississippi Public Radio as a freelance journalist to have a more flexible schedule to take care of her children, but still continue working.  She spoke to journalism students here at UM on Thursday, October 11th in Farley Hall room 124 for UM’s “Meek Week.”

Something Different

OXFORD, Miss- Covering hard-hitting stories about tornado-tattered Smithville, Miss and soldiers diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the war does not stop University of Mississippi alumna Sandra Knispel. There is something different about the two-time winner of the national Edward R. Murrow Award.

“What you gain from turning off the recorder is so much more,” said Knispel.

Knipel’s passion for covering emotional stories was obvious to the audience gathered in Farley journalism building as it would be with anyone she talks with about it. A packed room of journalism students was eager to listen to what Knispel had to say during a Meek week event at the University of Mississippi.

Her advice about experience in hard-hitting news stories is different than what textbooks say about how to act during emotional interviews.

“By crying along its okay… it shows you’re only human and take their story seriously,” said Knispel.

 Knispel turns the recorder off if the person interviewed begins to cry showing that she really cares about their story not just covering the story.

“At the beginning of the interview make sure you let them know that they can stop the interview whenever they want or feel uncomfortable,” said Knispel.

Knispel has a lengthy resume in the field of journalism making it easy for the audience to hold on to every word and respect what she had to say during her discussion. She has worked in all media platforms beginning with newspaper employed by regional German newspapers, national German-American newspaper in New York, and managing editor for weekly Oxford enterprise.

 Knispel has also explored the multimedia platform as a national television anchor for Bloomberg TV Germany and is currently freelancing for Mississippi Public Broadcasting.

Knispel holds two Edward R Murrow awards under her belt for her news stories. The first award it was for her hard news feature on public apology news story on Emmett Till’s family, a young African American boy murdered in 1955 in rural Miss.  

Knispel returned the night before from New York City as she received her second Edward R. Murrow award for Best News Series on the Smithville, Miss tornado and the effects of the people living in the small town.

She explained that keeping a job in journalism is really hard, but encourages journalism students to apply for weekend internships and step foot into a newsroom as quickly as possible.

Not just what is recorded but what is not on the record plays a part in a story. Knispel’s ability to get more from the story than just the reporting story is something different setting a high standard in the journalism world.

Sharing the Life of a Modern Journalist

Del Mixon

10/16/12

Sharing the Life of a Modern Journalist

           

UNIVERSITY, MS- Journalism students at the University of Mississippi learned about the life of a modern day journalist.  Sandra Knispel spoke to a packed classroom at Ole Miss’s Meek School of Journalism. Knispel shared the events of her life that led her to her current job at Mississippi Public Broadcasting. 

            “My most memorable interview was done while covering post traumatic stress disorders among Mississippi war veterans.” Said Knispel responding to a student question. The reporter described the interview has a teary and humbling experience. For Knispel, seeing a war veteran, covered in patriotic tattoos, break down and cry in front of her made the interview the most memorable.            Knispel was awarded the Mississippi Associated Press Broadcasters Award in 2009 for Best documentary.

            “It’s your duty to report the facts.” Said Knispel, “But don’t be afraid to cry with whoever you’re interviewing.”

            Knispel’s journalism career began in New York City, Ny for a German- American newspaper. Having grown up in Germany and just graduating from the University of Wales B.A. in politics and Russian studies, Knispel was excited.

            She explained this job as a miserable experience, all because of her boss. She was required to stay up past three in the morning and asked to plagiarize new stories. Knispel quit after three months of work.

            “How were you able to quit?” A student in the audience asked. To this, Knispel responded with a smile. She told her boss what she thought to his face, then turned around and left the building.  “I checked online, the paper is no longer around.” Knispel added.

            Knispel stressed to the students in the audience the importance of getting internships early. She advised the sooner you have experience the more prepared you will be for the world of journalism.

            Knispel’s speech was on Thursday Oct. 11^th and apart of  the school of journalism’s “Meek Week”.  The speech was a return home for Knispel, because she received her masters in Journalism from the University of Mississippi.  In between spending time with her husband and kids, Knispel writes for national magazines Babytalk and Concieve. 

Asking Is Caring: Words from a Wise Journalist

Sydney Hembree

Jour 271

October 15, 2012

Sandra Knispel

441 words

Sandra Knispel (left) and Deidra Jackson (right) catch up as journalism students prepare for Knispel's presentation. 

Asking Is Caring: Words from a Wise Journalist

UNIVERSITY, Miss. – An interview is a simple procedure: ask questions, prompt the interviewee if they are too vague with information and generally try to learn about some aspect of the individual you are talking to. What Sandra Knispel did not bargain for when interviewing a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) patient, however, was how much she cared. Knispel even went so far as to cry alongside her interviewee as he talked his way through the hardest memories he has endured since leaving war behind.

This is the story she shared with a group of aspiring journalism students Thursday morning. Knispel, a German native now working for Mississippi Public Broadcasting stations, captured her audience’s attention as she gave insight into the field of journalism and where to draw the line when asking questions.

“One rule good journalists follow is called the ‘Principle of Do Not Harm’,” she said. “For example, if you think a person that you just interviewed is mentally unstable, you must not use him as a source.”

Knispel, who attended classes at the University of Mississippi when getting her Master’s Degree, discussed how information from classes could help you later on when digging up material.

“Classes like journalism ethics were extremely important,” she said. “You need to know about what side of the law you are on before you step into a courtroom. Make sure to stand your ground.”

Joe Atkins, Knispel’s former teacher from when she attended the University of Mississippi, told students of her daring exploits and how she has had to adapt to save her job.

“She is one of the best the Meek School of Journalism has had,” he said. “She understands the importance of multimedia.”

Knispel agrees with Atkins that adapting to different fields of journalism will make a person more appealing to a company when acquiring a job.

“Get an internship while you are still in school,” she said. “It is almost impossible to get one after leaving University.”

At the end of the presentation, a student asked what Knispel’s most inspiring interview was, to which she confessed was the PTSD victims. After researching into their disorder, Knispel explained she felt closer to them, which is why she broke down during one of the interviews.

“By crying, it tells the person that you’re only human and that you’re taking them seriously,” she said. “You build your reputation if you show them you care. And, above all, your integrity is the most important.”

Knispel’s closed the presentation with this statement: “Protect your credibility. It’s everything you've got.”

Winning Awards With Sandra Knispel

Michael Quirk

Jour 271

October 15, 2012

Sandra Knispel

409 Words

                        Winning Awards With Sandra Knispel

            UNIVERSITY, Miss. – A syrupy mixture of British and German accents, the voice of Sandra Knispel is not what students at the University of Mississippi are used to hearing. That may be fitting, as Knispel is no ordinary journalist either. The two-time Edward R. Murrow award winner spoke to a classroom of journalism students during “Meek Week”, a week dedicated to celebrating the Meek School of Journalism at Ole Miss.

            Despite being born and raised in Germany, Knispel left her home country to attend the University of Wales in the United Kingdom. After graduation, she moved to New York City to work for a now defunct German-American newspaper. Working under a tyrannical boss, Knispel faced a daily grind that she never could have anticipated.

            “I cried a lot in my three months there,” said Knispel. “But I couldn’t quit or my work visa would expire.”

            She spoke of the difficulties working for a sexist, racist boss. It was also difficult for her to grow as a journalist, because she was told to copy and paste from German newspapers and tabloids. It was after a lengthy berating that she finally gained the courage to quit, ending the saga that had driven her to tears at night.

            Needing to find work quickly, she found a job working for Bloomberg News. After working on-air with Bloomberg, she moved with her husband, Gregory Heyworth, to Oxford. Knispel landed a job as the managing editor of the Oxford Enterprise, a Sunday newspaper.

            After having children, Knispel needed more flexibility, something she found with Mississippi Public Radio working as a freelance journalist. Knispel has been able to work from home, get to know her surroundings, and achieve personal acclaim.

            Her most memorable piece was interviewing American soldiers who are suffering through Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. She spoke with soldiers who had been removed from their wives and children because they were reliving flashbacks from overseas.

            The lessons that Knispel preached by example were to find personal accounts, tell people being interviewed that you want to tell their story, and to be human and sympathize with your interviewee.

            “What’s your best advice for young journalists?” asked an eager student in attendance. Knispel’s responded with a coy smile and a glimmer of hope for the students.

            “Know that there is no job security, work in all fields, and try to win some awards.”

Caroline Stroud

JOUR 271

Sandra Knispel

October 12, 2012

455

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI----------- Ole Miss alumni Sandra Knispel spoke to a packed classroom Thursday morning in Farley Hall.  With students shoulder-to-shoulder and sitting on the floor Knispel talked about her journey with journalism.

            Sandra Knispel was raised in Germany but has lived in Wales, France, and the United States.  She got her Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and Russian studies from the University of Wales, Swansea. She then came to Mississippi to get her masters in journalism from Ole Miss.  

            Knispel has worked on all media platforms from newspapers, magazines and Television.  However, Knispel told the class she did not originally plan on being a multimedia journalist, but in order to stay a journalist in today’s world she said you have to be able to do it all.

            “If you want to have a career that keeps going you need to know all types of journalism,” said Knispel.

Right after college Knispel got a job in New York City working for a German/ American newspaper, she worked there for 3 months until she realized that was not where she needed to be and left.  Knispel worked odd jobs for a year after that and then got a job as a television anchor for Bloomberg TV Germany. With Bloomberg Knispel covered financial markets and economics. 

Knispel moved back to Mississippi in 2001 with her husband and started working as the editor for the weekly Oxford Enterprise. She has been freelancing for Mississippi Public Broadcasting and NPR since 2002.  Knispel also writes for national magazines including, Conceive and Baby Talk. 

Her broadcast work has earned her many national and regional awards including the Excellence Writing Award in the Florida magazine and the Folio award.  She just recently won her second Edward R. Murrow award for her broadcast on Smithville, Mississippi after the tornado completely destroyed the entire town. 

Before she left Knispel shared advice with the students telling them to work hard and do internships, “just say yes and do it,” said Knispel.

She told the students to consume as much news as possible, listen to more than just local news and sign up to get subscriptions of Newsweek. Don’t sugarcoat anything, always remember the do no harm policy, use Facebook for your reporting, fair and balanced journalism, always keep your eyes open and continue to build a network of friends are a few of the other tidbits she told the students as they furiously jotted down every word she was saying.

Sandra Knispel has worked hard to get where she is today, her success has come from her hard work and dedication and she encouraged the students to do the same.

Sandra Knispel: sympathizer, dare devil and multimedia extraordinaire

Kristen Stephens

Jour 271

October 15, 2012

Word count: 417 words

Knispel advice

UNIVERSITY, Miss. - She dug her way to success with a shovel of sympathy and a daredevil attitude. Working under a boss tied with many negative names, she, an illegal immigrant, wrote for a German-United States newspaper in New York and posed as a student in order to get her next internship. Years later, Sandra Knispel’s voice is heard on Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) stations.

    A German native, Knispel learned to live a life open to new opportunities and hectic atmospheres. 

    “I had to adapt,” Knispel said.

    Scraping past boundaries such as not having a green card, Knispel gained United States citizenship when she married her husband in 2001. Afterwards, she became the essence of a multimedia journalist, writing for magazines and newspapers and creating radio clips.

    “She’s truly multimedia,” said Joe Atkins, Knispel’s former professor at the University of Mississippi. 

    Presently, Knispel freelances for MPB and National Public Radio. In a presentation for the University of Mississippi’s Meek Week, she shared with budding journalism students a few of her secrets to success: sympathy and the art of storytelling. As Knispel jumps from story to story, she finds sympathy, acknowledging that a story might not be worth making a source feel awkward during an interview, is one of the greatest tools a journalist can use. 

    “We all have human dignity,” Knispel said. “Always remember the ‘do no harm.’ What you gain is so much bigger.”

    When reporting on circumstances that have potential emotionally wrecked sources, Knispel believes it is more beneficial to a journalist’s story to have sources do the majority of the storytelling, while using the journalist more as the story’s guide.

    “I was always taught, ‘show, don’t tell,” Knispel said. “Let [the sources] do the emotional, the heavy lifting.”

    Knispel said journalists need to know how to approach their subjects, their sources and the tone of their stories. As a journalist, people tend to want to leave readers with a positive thought, throwing a positive light on a story otherwise highlighting a disaster she said.  

    On her story about an F5 tornado in Smithville, Knispel gathered the community’s stories and statistics and discovered that the town’s population fell dramatically because many businesses were destroyed by the tornado. Instead of giving false hope to the community, she aimed to approach the story from a realistic viewpoint, that the town would take years to rebuild and mend its wounds. 

    “I think it’s your job as a reporter to overcome that feeling of, ‘oh, it will be okay,’” Knispel said.

Sandra Knipsel: The Oracle of Meek Week

Houston Buckley

JOUR 271

Radio Lives Story

373 words.

            Oxford, Ms. – In a crowded classroom inside Farley Hall, a group of students eagerly awaited for a speaker. A woman walked into the room bearing an accent that most of the students were not used to. Sandra Knipsel, a former graduate of Ole Miss, was speaking to journalism students about what it takes to be a journalist.

            Knipsel received her masters from the University of Mississippi; she also studied in France, and at Wales University. Knipsel has received two Edward R. Murrow awards for success in journalism, and was the London Correspondent for German News. Knipsel also worked all over Europe.

            The main focus of Knipsel’s lecture was focused around internships. Knipsel got her first internship in high school, and her first job was Bloomburg Media. “Take internships now, it’s hard to get jobs in journalism for beginners and even returning journalists.” Said Knipsel. “If they say can you come in on weekends, of course you can.” Said Knipsel. “Read everything you can and consume news, the more you can do shows.” Knipsel didn’t just speak on behalf of internships; she also talked about writing techniques that would improve the skills of the students.

            Knipsel won an Edward R. Murrow award for her feature story on the Smithville tornado. The tornado ravaged Smithville, Ala., and was a two-part story for Knipsel. Knipsel used professional sound bites to record natural, organic sounds from the disaster recovery. Knipsel used crisp and clear questions to gather her information, along with satisfactory vocabulary.

            Knipsel made an emphasis on finding the feature stories. “The two bank tellers in Smithville that had their building ripped apart over them,” said Knipsel. “That’s the stories that you go for.” Knipsel gave information to those young students that could potentially boost their journalism careers.

            After the lecture was over, Knipsel took questions from the class. One student asked her “what was your most memorable story?” Knipsel pondered for a moment and replied, “it’s hard to say, and I have had a memorable career.” Knipsel’s long career was put to good use during meek week, and the students in her lectures now have information from one of the most decorated graduates to come from Ole Miss.